The influence of education and poverty on terrorism and radicalization
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Authors
Duncan, Jeffrey A.
Roach, Joseph M.
Scarlata, Mark W.
Issue Date
2012
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Homeland security , Safety engineering
Alternative Title
Abstract
Since the tragic events of September 11'", 2001 in New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the world has maintained a focus on those individuals who have become radicalized and are focused on committing terrorist acts against individuals or governments. Terrorism is a prevalent concern in the modern world and with an increasing number of terrorist attacks and casualties from those attacks there is much being done to address this alarming trend. For many individuals, political leaders, and governments the prevailing belief was that those people who are uneducated and are from poor backgrounds are the most likely to become terrorists and commit crimes against innocent individuals, sites, and political ideologies.
Initial research indicates that this belief is widespread. However, in-depth research as a result of this Capstone Project shows this belief is not supported by facts. Poverty and low education levels have been pointed to as major root causes to terrorism and currently billions are being spent worldwide to try to address these issues with the expressed reason being to combat terrorism. Many governments and security organizations are attempting to protect world citizens from those who have become radicalized because they were poor or uneducated.
There are almost 2.1 billion uneducated and poor people in the world, of which 400 million are illiterate and 1.7 billion live on less than $2 per day. They are not all radicalized terrorists; therefore there must be factors other than low education and impoverishment to explain how and why someone would become a member of a terrorist organization. If the roots that cause terrorism are adequately addressed there will be fewer terrorists and fewer terrorist attacks. This Capstone Project analyzes some of the reasons why individuals become radicalized. Feelings of oppression, frustration, and disillusionment are significant contributing factors to radicalization, whereas we have found that poor education and low income are not the primary causes. This Capstone Project addresses the evidence and submits recommendations for further examination.