1.8.2 Rational Choice Theory
This theory will be important in explaining the behaviour and thinking of terrorists, terrorist groups and even government leadership as they attempt to tackle terrorist threats. The Rational Choice Theory is a theory based on the notion that man is a reasoning being who weighs the costs and benefits of choices and therefore makes decisions based on rational calculations (Business Dictionary, 2013). Terrorists, despite being considered by many to be inhumane and irrational, are nevertheless human beings and are prompted to commit their acts of terrorism by some form of ideology and beliefs, mainly stemming from religious beliefs. As such, it is crucial that psychoanalysis into the psyche and mindsets of terrorists …show more content…
The theory presupposes that terrorism comprises acts resulting from premeditated decisions of political actors (terrorists). The terrorist organization is conceived as acting to attain political ends. The various acts of terrorism are seen as rejoinders to external stimuli. Examples of external stimuli include governments which terrorists aim to hurt. According to this theory, violence from terrorism is nothing more than deliberate acts of a terrorist group, as such, acts of violence by terror groups are not an end in themselves. This notion buttresses the theory‘s view that terrorists are not mentally ill people who are hell bent on using violence for the sake of it; on the contrary, terrorism is a means to realize political ends. Governments and other actors domestically and internationally are viewed by terrorists as contenders who take actions in a strategic manner, terrorist groups therefore set out to change these actors’ policies, activities and decisions with the use of force. This theory defines terrorism as deliberate action targeted at changing government‘s policies; it‘s not archetypal warfare where parties at war attempt to defeat one another militarily. The decision making mechanism of terrorist organizations bases its logic on cost benefit analysis, they evaluate the cost and benefits of their actions. Success of terrorism according to this theory is the attainment of political objectives of the group in
This theory will be important in explaining the behaviour and thinking of terrorists, terrorist groups and even government leadership as they attempt to tackle terrorist threats. The Rational Choice Theory is a theory based on the notion that man is a reasoning being who weighs the costs and benefits of choices and therefore makes decisions based on rational calculations (Business Dictionary, 2013). Terrorists, despite being considered by many to be inhumane and irrational, are nevertheless human beings and are prompted to commit their acts of terrorism by some form of ideology and beliefs, mainly stemming from religious beliefs. As such, it is crucial that psychoanalysis into the psyche and mindsets of terrorists …show more content…
The theory presupposes that terrorism comprises acts resulting from premeditated decisions of political actors (terrorists). The terrorist organization is conceived as acting to attain political ends. The various acts of terrorism are seen as rejoinders to external stimuli. Examples of external stimuli include governments which terrorists aim to hurt. According to this theory, violence from terrorism is nothing more than deliberate acts of a terrorist group, as such, acts of violence by terror groups are not an end in themselves. This notion buttresses the theory‘s view that terrorists are not mentally ill people who are hell bent on using violence for the sake of it; on the contrary, terrorism is a means to realize political ends. Governments and other actors domestically and internationally are viewed by terrorists as contenders who take actions in a strategic manner, terrorist groups therefore set out to change these actors’ policies, activities and decisions with the use of force. This theory defines terrorism as deliberate action targeted at changing government‘s policies; it‘s not archetypal warfare where parties at war attempt to defeat one another militarily. The decision making mechanism of terrorist organizations bases its logic on cost benefit analysis, they evaluate the cost and benefits of their actions. Success of terrorism according to this theory is the attainment of political objectives of the group in