What makes a terrorist? Are the drivers primarily…
“What makes a terrorist? Are the drivers primarily political or economic? Princeton economist Alan Krueger has made a great study of this question...What Makes a Terrorist lacks a question mark. That's because Krueger, marshaling persuasive statistics and analysis, comes down firmly on the side of politics, noting most terrorists are middle-class and well-educated.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Terrorism is driven more by political motives than economic ones, often involving educated middle‑class individuals.
In simple terms: Politics, not poverty, fuels terrorism.
Key Takeaway
Address political roots of extremism.
Themes
terrorism
politics
education
class
Mood
analytical
urgent
Type
political
academic
When to use this quote
- policy making
- counter‑terrorism training
- academic research
- media reporting
Key Concepts
political science
sociology
security studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How can policy target political motivations?
- What role does education play in radicalization?
A Different Perspective
Economic factors can also play a role.