Hostilité, Conformité, Fraternité: The Group Dynamics of Terrorist Behavior

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Abstract
There are two major categories of terrorist groups: the “anarchic-ideologues,” such as the Red Army Faction, committed to destroying the world of their fathers; and the “nationalist-separatists,” such as ETA of the Basques, who carry on the mission of their fathers. Despite the diversity of terrorist groups and causes, a comparative study indicates a remarkable uniformity of terrorist behavior. The groups draw their membership from marginal, isolated, and inadequate individuals from troubled families, so that for many, belonging to the terrorist group is the first time they have truly belonged to any group. Organized against society, the group is seen as all good and the outside society as all bad. This polarization is central to the group's ideology and is the rationale for committing violent, antiestablishment acts.

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