Statistical Survey Of International Terrorist Activity: An Examination Of The Effectiveness Of Military Deterrence

Authors

Eric R. Jorgensen, Brigham Young University
Dr. Jay Goodliffe, Brigham Young University

Keywords

international terrorist activity, military deterrence, terrorism, GNP

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Political Science

Abstract

As we recently observed the one-year anniversary of the embassy bombings in Africa, thoughts turned again to our vulnerability to terrorist attacks. One year ago President Clinton vowed to “wage war on terrorism.” It was at this point that many began to question the effectiveness of military deterrence on terrorist activity. This research examined the question of effectiveness. My hypothesis has been that military strength has no measurable effect in the deterrence of terrorist activities. I proposed instead that terrorists strike powerful, industrialized, democratic countries because their attacks appear more devastating when conducted against these states.

Recommended Citation

Jorgensen, Eric R. and Goodliffe, Dr. Jay (2014) "Statistical Survey Of International Terrorist Activity: An Examination Of The Effectiveness Of Military Deterrence," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 277.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/277