This chapter considers the basic theories of the sources of aggression in general and of terrorism in particular. Its primary purpose is to build on the principles of the first chapter – which explores the definition and nature of terrorism – to understand terrorism's various sources. One of the first principles is that terrorism is a manifestation of aggression, and it will be useful to begin by considering what is known about the general sources of aggression, then how terrorism is a particular kind of aggression, and finally the significance of that distinction.

Introduction

Much has been learned over the past several decades about preventing crime by developing a clear understanding of its causes. The application of sophisticated research methods to reliable data has benefited the following areas of criminal justice policy: strategies for the prevention of delinquency in general and of gang crimes and crimes in schools in particular; approaches to the design of defensible community space; and more effective policing, sentencing, and correctional strategies. If we are to prevent terrorism through the design of effective intervention strategies and policies, it will be essential first to understand its causes. Some of the findings on the prevention of crime may have only limited relevance to the problem of terrorism. Even for prevention strategies that are relevant, both for crime and terrorism, it is important to distinguish between long-term (“root”) causes – especially the deep alienation and hatred that can provide the foundation for individual acts of terrorism – and short-term causes, which serve to ignite or permit such acts once the alienation has become firmly rooted.