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Terrorism and spatial disparities: Does interregional inequality matter?

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  • Ezcurra, Roberto
  • Palacios, David

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between interregional inequality and the incidence of domestic terrorism in a panel of 48 countries over the period 1990–2010. The results show that a high level of interregional inequality increases the number of domestic terror events in the sample countries. This finding is robust to the inclusion of additional explanatory variables that may affect both interregional inequality and domestic terrorism. Furthermore, the observed link between interregional inequality and terrorist activity does not depend on the choice of the specific measure used to quantify the degree of dispersion in the regional distribution of GDP per capita within the sample countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Ezcurra, Roberto & Palacios, David, 2016. "Terrorism and spatial disparities: Does interregional inequality matter?," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 60-74.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:poleco:v:42:y:2016:i:c:p:60-74
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2016.01.004
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    5. Brandt, Patrick T. & George, Justin & Sandler, Todd, 2016. "Why concessions should not be made to terrorist kidnappers," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 41-52.
    6. Meierrieks, Daniel & Auer, Daniel, 2022. "Bribes and Bombs: The Effect of Corruption on Terrorism," VfS Annual Conference 2022 (Basel): Big Data in Economics 264084, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    7. Vicente Rios & Beatriz Manotas-Hidalgo & Lisa Gianmoena, 2021. "Spatial Inequality, Civil Conflict and Cells: A Dynamic Spatial Probit Approach," Documentos de Trabajo - Lan Gaiak Departamento de Economía - Universidad Pública de Navarra 2110, Departamento de Economía - Universidad Pública de Navarra.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Domestic terrorism; Interregional inequality;

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • K4 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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