Strength, competition, ideology and rationality

Abstract

The objective of this document is to investigate the factors that determine the claims of terrorist attacks worldwide by terrorist groups and to stablish the probability of recurrence. To determine the claims, we used a logistic discrete choice regression model. Besides, for the probability of repeating an attack, we implemented a dynamic negative binomial stochastic model with panel data. As far as we know, this last topic and modeling have not been previously considered. The main results indicate that claims increase when there is harm caused to civilians, attack coercion, competition among groups and Islamic ideology; while the possibility of repeating an attack gets reduced with the number of fatal victims and human rights violations, but it increases with government support to terrorist groups.