CAUSES AND ROOTS OF

TERRORISM
Zirak Rajab Ali
Spring 2023
International Terrorism
Dr. Karishma
 Outline
 Introduction
 Poverty and Terrorism
 Education and Terrorism
 Theoretical Considerations of Participation in Terrorism
 Evidence from Hate Crimes
 Evidence from Public Opinion Polls in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
 Correlates of Participation in Hezbollah Militant Activities
 Palestinian Terrorists
 Cross-Country Analysis

 Poverty and Terrorism
Poverty is positively related to
participation in terrorism. Those
living in poorer countries and
regions are more likely to
participate in terrorist activities.
This could be because poverty
can lead to feelings of
hopelessness and lack of
opportunity, which can make
individuals more likely to join
terrorist organizations.
There is positive relationship
between poverty and
participation in terrorism.
Education and Terrorism
More educated individuals are
less likely to participate in
terrorist activities. This means
that education can be seen as a
protective factor against
terrorism.
This could be because those with
higher education are more likely
to have access to better
economic opportunities, which
can reduce the likelihood of them
joining terrorist organizations.
There is a negative relationship
between education and
participation in terrorism
Theoretical Considerations of
Participation in Terrorism
 Poverty and lack of education are connected to
illegal activity, especially property crimes.
However, although terrorism seems like crime.
 Availableevidence suggests that individuals are
more likely to commit property crimes if they
have lower salaries or less education.
 Terrorism may in some cases offer greater
benefits for those with more education. For
example, well-educated individuals may
participate disproportionately in terrorist groups
if they think that they will assume leadership
positions if they succeed; or if they identify
more strongly with the goals of the terrorist
organization than less educated individuals
 WHAT IS
HATE CRIME
It is a criminal offense
committed against a person or
property that is motivated, in
whole or in part, by the
offender's bias against a
particular group.
These groups can include but
not limited to race, religion,
national origin, sexual
orientation, gender, gender
identity, and disability.
Evidence from Hate Crimes

 The relationship between education and hate crimes can be inferred from the
negative relationship found between education and participation in terrorism.
 Hate crimes are often motivated by extremist ideologies and a lack of
understanding or tolerance for different cultures, religions, and backgrounds.
 Education can provide individuals with the critical thinking and problem-solving
skills needed to challenge extremist ideologies and make informed decisions about
their political and social beliefs.
 Education can play a role in reducing poverty and improving economic
opportunities, which can also be associated with a decrease in hate crimes.
 According to some studies, poverty and unemployment can be drivers of hate
crimes, but It is important to note that the relationship between education and
hate crimes is complex and multifaceted.
 Public Opinion Polls in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Public opinion in these regions can provide
insight into the factors that drive support for
extremist ideologies and terrorism.
Public opinion polls in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip have shown that poverty, unemployment,
and lack of economic opportunities are major
drivers of support for extremism and terrorism.
For example, a survey conducted by the
Palestine Centre for Policy and Survey Research
in 2013 found that poverty and unemployment
were the most important factors driving support
for Hamas and other extremist groups in the
Gaza Strip.
Education can play a role in shaping public
opinion in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
For example, a survey conducted by the
Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey
Research in 2019 found that the more education
an individual has, the less likely they are to
support violence and extremism.
Correlates of Participation in Hezbollah Militant Activities
 Hezbollah, as a political and militant group, has attracted
support from various segments of Lebanese society,
including those who are poor and have limited access to
education.
 Studies have found that poverty, lack of economic
opportunities, and limited access to education can increase
the appeal of extremist ideologies and terrorist groups like
Hezbollah.
 Hezbollah has been able to gain support among the poor
and less educated segments of Lebanese society by
providing social services and assistance in areas where the
government has failed to provide basic needs.
 Studies have shown that Hezbollah has been able to appeal
to these segments by positioning itself as a defender of the
Lebanese Shiites against Israeli and American aggression
and by providing a sense of empowerment and belonging.
Palestinian Terrorists
Poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and limited
access to education can increase the appeal of extremist
ideologies and terrorist groups among Palestinian
population. For example, a study conducted by the
Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research in 2016
found that poverty and unemployment were major drivers
of support for Palestinian terrorist groups, such as Hamas
and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Political factors such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,
and the sense of political marginalization and exclusion
among the Palestinian population, have played a role in
driving support for Palestinian terrorist groups. For
example, a study conducted by the Rand Corporation in
2002 found that the Israeli occupation and the lack of a
political solution to the conflict were major drivers of
support for Palestinian terrorist groups among the
Palestinian population.
Cross-Country Analysis
A cross-country analysis to examine the potential relationship
between education, poverty, and terrorism. Cross-country
analysis involves comparing data from multiple countries in
order to identify patterns or trends that may not be apparent
when looking at a single country.
use data from various sources such as the World Bank, United
Nations, and Global Terrorism Database, to analyze the
relationship between education, poverty, and terrorism
across different countries and regions. They found that there
is a negative relationship between education and
participation in terrorism, meaning that countries with lower
levels of education tend to have higher levels of terrorism.
They also found that poverty is positively associated with
participation in terrorism, meaning that countries with higher
levels of poverty tend to have higher levels of terrorism.
They also mention that a number of other factors such as
cultural and religious values, political and economic
instability, and social networks also play a key role in
determining the level of terrorism in a country.
 Conclusion
Detailed analysis of the potential relationship between
education, poverty, and terrorism. Use data from various
sources to conduct a cross-country analysis, examining the
relationship between these factors across different
countries and regions.
It found that there is a negative relationship between
education and participation in terrorism, meaning that
countries with lower levels of education tend to have
higher levels of terrorism.
It also found that poverty is positively associated with
participation in terrorism, meaning that countries with
higher levels of poverty tend to have higher levels of
terrorism.
Overall, the relationship between education, poverty, and
terrorism, and highlights the need for more research in
this area to further understand the complex and
multifaceted nature of this relationship.
 References
Krueger, A. B., & Malecˇkova, J. (n.d.). Education, Poverty and
Terrorism: Is There a Causal Connection?. [Journal Of Economic
Perspectives Vol. 17, No. 4, Fall 2003 (pp. 119-144)].