A THEORY OF GENERAL CAUSES OF TERRORISM - HIGH POPULATION GROWTH, INCOME INEQUALITY AND RELATIVE DEPRIVATION

Abstract

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3167692 Coccia M. 2018. A theory of general causes of terrorism: high population growth, income inequality and relative Abstract. A fundamental problem in psychosocial sciences is how to explain the root causes of terrorism. The vast literature has analyzed several determinants of terrorism. However, the precise role of demographic factors for the evolution of terrorism is hardly known. Statistical evidence here reveals that fatalities for incidents of terrorism are associated with growth rates of population. This finding seems to suggest that terrorism thrives-in average-in specific regions with high growth rates of population that may generate income inequality, subsistence stress and relative deprivation of people. In addition, geospatial analysis here reveals that countries with high association between fatalities from terrorist incidents and population growth are mainly in Africa and Middle East. Overall, then, the study here can clarify and generalize whenever possible, one of the causes of terrorism, which seems to be due to sociodemographic factors combined with psychosocial risk factors. Finally , the study suggests socioeconomic policies directed to reduce this critical problem in society.