| This research deals with the connection between economic conditions and terrorism. It is presumed that individuals in weak and failing states, who live in relative poverty, and believe there is no upward mobility in their countries, will resort to terrorism. These individuals believe that their countries will not provide any social services for them and their families and that the West and the global lending institutions that it controls are indifferent to their plight. Terrorist groups, such as al-Qaeda, prey upon this frustration and disenchantment by using fundamentalist religious rhetoric to persuade the individuals to join their cause. Sometimes, the terrorist groups provide economic infrastructure, such as building roads and providing education for the citizens' children as a way to appear legitimate. After providing an explanation for the relationship, this research applies that relationship to case studies in Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria. By using the case studies, this research attempts to prove the hypothesis using actual events in weak and poor states who have been linked to terrorism. |
