Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/79151 
Year of Publication: 
2002
Series/Report no.: 
Working Paper No. 2002-22
Publisher: 
Rutgers University, Department of Economics, New Brunswick, NJ
Abstract: 
Fundamentalist organizations and the terrorists they spawn do not arise of a vacuum. Combating terrorism requires understanding the principles of groups’ formation, development and growth. We use economic theory to explain the creation and development of fundamentalist groups. In this paper we develop a theory of fundamentalism and terrorism under which leaders compete to enhance the level of observance of their followers. Our model explains the existence of competing fundamentalist groups and the increase in their intensity over time. Competition among fundamentalists makes them more extreme and may lead to terrorist activity.
Subjects: 
fundamentalism
religion
rent seeking
terrorism
JEL: 
D71
D72
Z12
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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