Terrorist Transformations: The Link Between Terrorist Roles and Disengagement

• In Event: Engagement in Terrorism: Causes and Consequences

Abstract

Recent research provides a richer understanding of the terrorist disengagement process and empirical studies offer lists of push and pull factors that may drive exit decisions. However, few studies pay attention to the diversity of roles individuals hold within terrorist groups. Consequently, there is little appreciation for the varied experiences involvement in terrorism entails and the implications of such variation for disengagement. Using a dataset on 185 terrorist engagement events gleaned from 87 autobiographies and in-person interviews with 9 former terrorists this study examines the ways in which the role(s) an individual holds within a terrorist group influence the likelihood of disengagement and the reasons for disengagement. In particular, we demonstrate the ways in which role conflict and role strain may affect one’s satisfaction with involvement. We also show those in certain roles incur greater sunk costs and possess fewer alternatives making them less likely to disengage even when controlling for level of ideological commitment. Our findings further suggest individuals in certain roles may be more or less likely to experience specific push or pull factors for disengagement. We conclude with a discussion of how consideration of terrorist roles could aid in the development of more effective counterterrorism policy.

Authors

• MaryBeth E. Altier, New York University

• Emma Leonard Boyle

• John G. Horgan, Pennsylvania State University