Demonstrating destructive power attracts recruits to terrorist organizations
Evidence
Broadcasting claims of responsibility for death and destruction serves another important function. Well-organized terrorist organizations use destructive exploits as a show of power over their enemies. Terrorist successes—or the image terrorists project of having the power and will to inflict heavy losses on their opponents—can attract recruits and help broaden a group’s support base (Kydd & Walter, 2006). — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 2264
Categorization
Category: Causal Relationships
- XREF: Connects to costly-signaling theory — projecting power and will as a recruitment signal parallels how any group signals fitness or resolve.
Related
- Terrorist attacks function as power displays to attract recruits (similarity 0.96)
- Claimed responsibility for attacks both signals power and recruits adherents (similarity 0.83)
- Brutal counterterrorism can backfire by recruiting and legitimizing the enemy (similarity 0.79)
- Punitive government responses can reward terrorists by confirming their worldview. (similarity 0.79)