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The Impact Of Societal Risk Attitudes On Terrorism And Counterterrorism

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  • PAAN JINDAPON
  • WILLIAM S. NEILSON

Abstract

We analyze decisions made by a group of terrorists and a target government in a zero‐sum game in which the terrorists minimize, and the government maximizes, the expected utility of the median voter in the target country. The terrorists' strategy balances the probability and the severity of the attack while the government chooses the level of investment reducing the probability and/or mitigating the severity of attacks. We find that risk aversion affects the strategies of both the government and the terrorists, leading to more severe, less frequent attacks but not necessarily more counterterrorism expenditures.

Suggested Citation

  • Paan Jindapon & William S. Neilson, 2009. "The Impact Of Societal Risk Attitudes On Terrorism And Counterterrorism," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(3), pages 433-451, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecopol:v:21:y:2009:i:3:p:433-451
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0343.2009.00360.x
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    Cited by:

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    2. Peren Arin, K. & Lorz, Oliver & Reich, Otto F.M. & Spagnolo, Nicola, 2011. "Exploring the dynamics between terrorism and anti-terror spending: Theory and UK-evidence," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 77(2), pages 189-202, February.

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