The Influence of Charismatic Authority on Operational Strategies and Attack Outcomes of Terrorist Groups

Journal of Strategic Security

Hofmann, David C.¹ 

[1] University of New BrunswickUniversity of New BrunswickUniversity of New Brunswick

关键词: Ideology;    International security;    National security;    Nonstate actors;    Security policy;    Strategy;    Violent extremism;   

DOI  :  10.5038/1944-0472.9.2.1486

学科分类：建筑学

来源: Henley-Putnam University Press

【 摘 要 】

Despite the historical and contemporary prevalence of charismatic terrorist leaders, there has been very little empirical examination of the relationship between charismatic forms of authority and the strategic operation of terrorist groups. In response to this gap in knowledge, this study seeks to investigate if charismatic authority has a real-world impact on strategic choices and attack outcomes of terrorist groups. Using a theoretical framework meant to help measure charisma in terrorist organizations, this study quantitatively examines how differing levels of the presence of charismatic authority contributes to the choice in operational tactics (e.g., weapon and target choices) and the results of attack outcomes (e.g., success rates, lethality) within a sample of thirty international terrorist groups. In the concluding section, relevant findings, policy recommendations, study limitations, and areas for future research are discussed.

【 授权许可】

Unknown