Recalibrating the War on Terror by Enhancing Development Practices in the Middle East

Abstract:     
This Article begins with an exploration of the literature surrounding the U.S.-led war on terror. Part I examines justifications for the war by considering the claim that democratization yields economic development and then examines whether there is a link between forced democratization and a reduction in terrorism. Part II sets forth the research questions to be answered in the analysis of this literature and data. Part III briefly describes the methodology to be used in answering the research questions. Part IV analyzes at length the assertions that democracy is related to a reduction in terrorism and to economic growth. Finally, the Article concludes that the war on terror is leading to an increase in the number of terrorist attacks against foreign targets and that sustainable development practices would be more effective in curtailing terrorist proliferation.

Keywords: development, terrorism, war, economic growth

JEL Classifications: H56, O11, O19

Accepted Paper Series