Reducing the Rewards from Acts of Terrorism

Abstract

In order to achieve their aims, terrorists are dependent on others reacting to the terrorist violence in a manner that affords the terror greater effect than the physical harm the actual violent act causes in itself. The preventive mechanism therefore consists of not giving the terrorists the responses they seek to achieve, making it less attractive for them or other potential terrorists to repeat a form of action that has not provided the desired return. This may mean not to overreact with brutality and repressive force, not to give in to their demands, or not to give the terrorists the kind of media attention they crave for. The main actors here are political leaders, business leaders and the news media.