Citation

Kisangani E, Nafziger EW. Def. Peace Econ. 2007; 18(5): 405-414.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10242690701455433

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper analyzes factors contributing to terrorism, using its initial meaning from the French Revolution in which the state is the terrorist. The independent economic variables are mineral exports/GDP, military expenditures/GDP, real GDP growth, real per capita GDP, and population density, and the dependent variable is democide, the murder of people by government. Analysis of the data indicates that mineral exports and poor economic performance (both level and growth of income) increase the probability of democides. However, once regime type (democracy) is controlled for, only mineral exports remain statistically robust. Therefore, the control of rents seems to be a major factor contributing to democides.