TERRORISM AND THE MIDDLE EAST

BY: Julia Yrani

So, what’s the question!

• Research question: • What effects do terrorist networks in the

Middle East have on the development of the regional economy over the last ten years?

• Selection question:• Why do countries fall to terrorism?

•Performance question:• How does terrorism affect the economy?

Selection Question

• independent variable(s): Number/ stability of political parties; ethno-religious diversity; population size •Dependent variable(s): Causalities due to terrorism & Terrorist incidents

According to the Social Cleavage Theory, more diverse societies, in terms of ethnic and religious demography, and political systems with large, multiparty systems are more prone terrorism

1. Piazza, James1. "Rooted in Poverty?: Terrorism, Poor Economic Development, and Social Cleavages." (2006): 159-73. Web. 28 Sep 2009.

<http://www.politicalscience.uncc.edu/jpiazza/PiazzaRootedinPoverty.pdf>.

Performance Question• Does terrorism affect the economy? If so, how?• YES

I. human and labor resources (capital stock) decrease II. environment of uncertainty negatively affects domestic

and international consumption and investment III. Governments redirect funds from productive sectors

towards counter-terrorism security expenditures

IV. Stunts growth in industry, more specifically tourism

Abadie, Alberto. "Terrorism and the World Economy." (2007): 1-40. Web. 6 Oct 2009. <http://ksghome.harvard.edu/~aabadie/twe.pdf>.

Case Studies• Country unaffected by

terrorism– Jordan

• Countries affected by terrorism– Afghanistan– Lebanon

http://www.merriam-webster.com/maps/images/maps/jordan_map.gif

http://library.uwb.edu/pearl/afghanistan_map.gif

http://www.libanmall.com/photos/lebanon_map2.jpg