Measuring Factors Contributing to Longevity in Terrorist Activity

• In Event: The Arc of Terrorism: Organizational Reach, Lifespan, and International Data

Abstract

There is a wealth of quality literature in the field of terrorism research, but one area that has received little attention concerns which factors contribute to or undermine the lifespan of terrorist organizations. This project is intended to examine structural and social factors, as well as temporal and spatial factors that may contribute to the longevity of terrorist groups. Previous studies on terrorist longevity have focused on the decisions the terrorist/terrorist groups have made rather than on the factors that may be working to help individuals/groups evade capture. Using data from the American Terrorism Study (1980 to 2015), this research examines factors such as the number and frequency of antecedent events, the types and frequency of preparatory behaviors, and the number of meetings in which these individuals engage. We expect the findings to contribute to this understudied area of terrorism research.

Authors

• Madeline Brice, University of Arkansas, Terrorism Research Center in Fulbright College

• Christopher A. Shields, University of Arkansas