Examining Similarity and Differences in Support for Attacks Against US Military and Civilian Targets: The Role of Perceived Legitimacy

• In Event: Comparative Perspectives on High-Profile Issues: Homicide, Terrorism, and Trafficking

Abstract

There have been a number of previous studies examining the relationship between perceived legitimacy towards US institutions and support for terrorism among predominantly Muslim populations. Some studies have indicated that individuals who have more favorable attitudes toward American citizens and culture are less likely to support attacks against Americans by terrorist groups. Findings have also suggested that there are distinctions between self-reported support for the US government and views of the American people and culture. We continue in this line of research and examine if the effects of perceived legitimacy towards the US vary according to the target of the attacks. Using data from over 3,000 face to face surveys in Egypt, Morocco and Indonesia, we examine the effects of several demographic (e.g., age, income, gender, religious commitment and affiliation) and attitudinal (e.g., media exposure, legitimacy of US government, US culture) variables on self-reported attacks against US military (US military troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Persian Gulf States) and civilian (US civilians in and outside of the US) targets. We discuss the implications of our results for theory and policy.

Author

• Nancy Ann Morris, Virginia Commonwealth University