NCJ Number
170432
Journal
International Journal of Risk, Security and Crime Prevention Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1997) Pages: 25-37
Date Published
1997
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the characteristics of terrorists and terrorist groups argues that socioeconomic factors may be much more useful than psychological perspectives in developing profiles of terrorists, because terrorism has a clear socioeconomic basis.
Abstract
Terrorism is a longstanding and worldwide phenomenon. It has diverse targets. Tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated due to modern technology and communications. However, terrorists are not mindless; they are not criminals in the ordinary sense; and they are not mentally ill. Instead, the profile developed by Russell and Miller revealed that terrorists tend to represent the overeducated and underemployed middle and lower middle classes who blame society for their problems. Thus, the causes of terrorism may lie in real problems affecting particular groups of people; these problems are understandable only with respect to their position in an existing social and political order. The groups most likely to experience a crisis in their socioeconomic position, particularly in the context of political change, are also those most likely to become terrorists. Case examples and reference notes