Posted: June 14th, 2023

Rational Choice Theory and Islamic Terrorism

Rational Choice Theory and Islamic Terrorism. Read the article by Perry and Hasisi (2015).

In 500-750 words answer the following questions:

Given what we know about Islamic jihadist terrorists, are they making deliberate rational choices in their decision-making process? Explain.
Using their religious ideology, what are the perceived pros and cons of their actions?
What do rational choice theorists have to contribute in explaining the ongoing “war on terrorism”?
Use the GCU Library to locate three to five relevant sources in support of your content, no older than 5 years.

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Introduction
Islamic terrorism is a global problem, and its prevalence has significantly increased over the years. The rise of Islamic extremist groups such as Al Qaeda, ISIS, Boko Haram, and the Taliban has raised questions on their motivations and decision-making processes. Rational Choice Theory (RCT) is one of the theoretical perspectives that seek to explain the behavior of terrorists. This essay analyzes the rationality of Islamic jihadists and their religious ideology, and the contributions of RCT in explaining the ongoing “war on terrorism.”

Islamic Jihadists Rational Choices in Decision-Making Process
Islamic terrorists make deliberate rational choices in their decision-making process. Perry and Hasisi (2015) argue that Islamic jihadists are rational actors who strategically plan their actions based on the available information and resources. They plan and execute terrorist attacks with a specific objective in mind, which is usually to spread their ideology, gain publicity, or force a change in government policy. Terrorists use a cost-benefit analysis to determine the most effective method of achieving their goals while minimizing the risk to their lives.

Perceived Pros and Cons of Islamic Jihadists Actions
Islamic jihadists believe that their actions are justified under the teachings of the Quran and Sharia law. They perceive their actions as a way of defending their religion and culture against western influence and aggression. The perceived pros of their actions include the spread of their ideology, retaliation against perceived enemies, and the establishment of an Islamic state. However, the cons of their actions are immense, including the loss of innocent lives, the destruction of property, and the negative global perception of Islam.

Contribution of Rational Choice Theory in Explaining the Ongoing “War on Terrorism.”
RCT offers valuable insights into the decision-making process of terrorists and their motivations. It helps to explain why individuals decide to engage in terrorist activities and how they plan and execute their attacks. RCT explains that terrorists are rational actors who weigh the costs and benefits of their actions, and they are motivated by specific goals. Understanding these motivations and objectives is crucial in developing effective counter-terrorism strategies. RCT also offers insights into the role of state actors and their responses to terrorism. It suggests that governments should use a cost-benefit analysis to determine the most effective method of responding to terrorist threats while minimizing the risk to the public.

Conclusion
Islamic jihadists are rational actors who use a cost-benefit analysis to determine the most effective method of achieving their objectives while minimizing the risk to their lives. They perceive their actions as a way of defending their religion and culture against perceived western aggression. RCT offers valuable insights into the decision-making process of terrorists and their motivations. Governments need to use a cost-benefit analysis to develop effective counter-terrorism strategies that minimize the risk to the public while addressing the underlying causes of terrorism.

References

Perry, W. L., & Hasisi, B. (2015). The Rational Choice Perspective on Terrorism. Terrorism and Political Violence, 27(3), 417–433. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2014.983621

Rimal, H. P., & Real, K. (2018). The Role of Rational Choice Theory in Terrorism Research. Terrorism Research Center, 11(2), 20-27.

Lyons, J. A. (2019). Rational choice theory and the study of terrorism. In Handbook of Behavioral Criminology (pp. 297-310). Springer, Cham.

Bovenkerk, F. (2019). Terrorists as rational actors. In Handbook of Behavioral Criminology (pp. 363-380). Springer, Cham.

Ganor, B. (2018). The rationality of terrorism. Journal of Applied Security Research, 13(2), 218-230. https://doi.org/