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A Novel Explanation of the Power-Law Form of the Frequency of Severe Terrorist Events: Reply to Saperstein

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  • Clauset Aaron

    (University of Colorado at Boulder)

  • Young Maxwell

    (University of Waterloo)

  • Gleditsch Kristian Skrede

    (University of Essex)

Abstract

Saperstein (2010) discusses recent work on the striking empirical observation that the frequency and severity of terrorist attacks follows a power-law relationship — a pattern noted for wars by Richardson (1948, 1960) more than 50 years ago. We are pleased with Saperstein's interest in our work. We do, however, feel obliged to correct a few small mistakes in his commentary and would like to take this opportunity to make several more general remarks about research in this area.

Suggested Citation

  • Clauset Aaron & Young Maxwell & Gleditsch Kristian Skrede, 2010. "A Novel Explanation of the Power-Law Form of the Frequency of Severe Terrorist Events: Reply to Saperstein," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 16(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:pepspp:v:16:y:2010:i:1:n:12
    DOI: 10.2202/1554-8597.1213
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aaron Clauset & Frederik W. Wiegel, 2010. "A Generalized Aggregation-Disintegration Model for the Frequency of Severe Terrorist Attacks," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 54(1), pages 179-197, February.
    2. Pape, Robert A., 2003. "The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 97(3), pages 343-361, August.
    3. Saperstein Alvin M., 2010. "A Comment on the Power Law Relation Between Frequency and Severity of Terrorist Attacks," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 16(1), pages 1-6, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rafael González-Val, 2016. "War Size Distribution: Empirical Regularities Behind Conflicts," Defence and Peace Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(6), pages 838-853, November.
    2. Michael Spagat & Neil F Johnson & Stijn van Weezel, 2018. "Fundamental patterns and predictions of event size distributions in modern wars and terrorist campaigns," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(10), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Marcovina Marco & Pellero Bruno, 2015. "A Mathematical Analysis of Domestic Terrorist Activity in the Years of Lead in Italy," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 21(3), pages 351-389, August.

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