Understanding the Development of Fundamentalism

Ira Gang and Gil Epstein

Departmental Working Papers from Rutgers University, Department of Economics

Abstract: Fundamentalist organizations and the terrorists they spawn do not arise of a vacuum. Combating terrorism requires understanding the principles of groups’ formation, development and growth. We use economic theory to explain the creation and development of fundamentalist groups. In this paper we develop a theory of fundamentalism and terrorism under which leaders compete to enhance the level of observance of their followers. Our model explains the existence of competing fundamentalist groups and the increase in their intensity over time. Competition among fundamentalists makes them more extreme and may lead to terrorist activity.

Keywords: fundamentalism; religion; rent seeking; terrorism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D71 D72 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2002-08-30
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Understanding the development of fundamentalism (2007)
Working Paper: Understanding the Development of Fundamentalism (2004)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:rut:rutres:200222

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