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Are suicide terrorists different from ‘regular militants’?

Author

Listed:
  • Amir Sabri

    (Institute of Economics)

  • Günther G. Schulze

    (University of Freiburg
    Australian National University
    CESifo)

Abstract

We analyze the differences in the socioeconomic profiles between suicide terrorists and ‘regular’ militants using a dataset of 1596 militants (including 209 suicide terrorists) from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). We find that suicide terrorists are better educated, younger, less likely to be married or have children, and less likely to live in the Gaza strip than their non-suicide counterparts. Moreover, although the profiles of Hamas and PIJ militants are distinctively different, the suicide terrorists are very similar to one another.

Suggested Citation

  • Amir Sabri & Günther G. Schulze, 2021. "Are suicide terrorists different from ‘regular militants’?," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 188(1), pages 155-181, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:188:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11127-020-00817-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-020-00817-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Suicide terrorism; Terrorism; Hamas; Palestinian Islamic Jihad;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • J49 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Other
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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