How do radical religious sects run such deadly terrorist organizations? Hezbollah; Hamas; Lashkar-e-Taiba; and the Taliban all began as religious groups dedicated to piety and charity. Yet once they turned to violence; they became horribly potent; executing campaigns of terrorism deadlier than those of their secular rivals. In Radical; Religious; and Violent; Eli Berman approaches the question using the economics of organizations. He first dispels some myths: radical religious terrorists are not generally motivated by the promise of rewards in the afterlife (including the infamous seventy-two virgins) or even by religious ideas in general. He argues that these terrorists (even suicide terrorists) are best understood as rational altruists seeking to help their own communities. Yet despite the vast pool of potential recruits -- young altruists who feel their communities are repressed or endangered -- there are less than a dozen highly lethal terrorist organizations in the world capable of sustained and coordinated violence that threatens governments and makes hundreds of millions of civilians hesitate before boarding an airplane. What's special about these organizations; and why are most of their followers religious radicals?Drawing on parallel research on radical religious Jews; Christians; and Muslims; Berman shows that the most lethal terrorist groups have a common characteristic: their leaders have found a way to control defection. Hezbollah; Hamas; and the Taliban; for example; built loyalty and cohesion by means of mutual aid; weeding out "free riders" and producing a cadre of members they could rely on. The secret of their deadly effectiveness lies in their resilience and cohesion when incentives to defect are strong.These insights suggest that provision of basic social services by competent governments adds a critical; nonviolent component to counterterrorism strategies. It undermines the violent potential of radical religious organizations without disturbing free religious practice; being drawn into theological debates with Jihadists; or endangering civilians.
#2832474 in Books 1997-09-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.56 x 1.05 x 6.46l; #File Name: 0253333016288 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A unit up "close and personal"By J. HarshbargerI ordered this book because I knew it told the story of the unit my great grandfather served in during the Civil War; and I wanted to understand a little of his life during the few months he served before he was discharged from a hospital. Although his name is mentioned only in the appendix at the end; I still felt that I got many of my questions answered. I learned what that part of northern Indiana was like in the early 1860's; what the neighbors probably thought; how the community pulled; and didn't pull; together; as well as lots of details about the 87th Indiana. I've been to both the Indiana and the Kentucky State Fairgrounds; and had no idea my great grandfather had been there 151 years ago; for instance. I learned about what he wore; what he ate; how far he marched; and how he fought; or waited to be called to the battlefields. I learned what probably sent him home; and I learned that he was one of the very lucky ones who survived the illness; as some other men from the unit died in the same hospital he was discharged from.Best of all; this is the first book about the Civil War that I've read and actually could follow the battles. Instead of having to follow all the groups from each side; this book lets us follow the 87th (and some adjoining units; which change from battle to battle). I have a better understanding now of what the men involved in this war survived; besides the bullets and cannon balls.I recommend this book to anyone with ancestors in this unit; anyone with ancestors who served in the Civil War (from either side) and anyone who wants to understand the war from a unit's viewpoint.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Central Indiana Civil War history.By Lori Cardwell ClemonsI bought as a gift for a friend who is a Civil War buff. He's gonna love it from what I saw glancing through it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good Reading.By Micheal L WiseI am proud to say I knew the author of this book; and he was well versed on the subject of the Civil War and is greatly missed.
