Small Group Dynamics in the Evolution of Global Network Terrorism: A Comprehensive, People-Based Approach. Part A: Select Publications.

摘要

A major problem facing a rigorous and comprehensive study of Global Network Terrorism (GNT) is lack of strong, quantitative relational data that is freely available tor scientific research in academic, policy, and government communities. Lack of relational data results in theorizing and theoretical modeling often divorced from important policy questions that the U.S. and allies face in ongoing efforts to counter GNT. There is any number of software programs designed to analyze data, but few meaningful relational data to be analyzed that could generate insight into the social, ethnic, historical and ideational ties that link terrorists to one another and to actions. To wed theoretical modeling to government policy we need to first organize a comprehensive, publicly available relational database that the research community can critically scrutinize, and which is constituted in ways to stimulate, guide and test theoretical models. Such knowledge, in turn, can foster more effective intervention and prevention policies.