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The Effect of Terrorism on Employment and Consumer Sentiment: Evidence from Successful and Failed Terror Attacks

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  • Abel Brodeur

Abstract

This paper examines the economic consequences of terror attacks by exploiting the inherent randomness in the success or failure of terror attacks. The findings suggest that successful attacks, in comparison to failed attacks, reduce the number of jobs and total earnings in targeted counties by approximately 2 percent in the years following the attack. Analyzing the channels, I find that successful attacks affect, in particular, specific industries such as housing. Last, I show that successful attacks receive more media coverage and increase levels of consumer pessimism in terms of business conditions and buying conditions.

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  • Abel Brodeur, 2018. "The Effect of Terrorism on Employment and Consumer Sentiment: Evidence from Successful and Failed Terror Attacks," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 10(4), pages 246-282, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:246-82
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/app.20160556
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • L82 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Entertainment; Media
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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