Defeating and Deterring Domestic Terrorism Through Evidence-Based Policymaking

Abstract

This thesis investigates how evidence-based policymaking can be employed to improve policy decisions and resource allocations aimed at deterring and defeating domestic terrorism. The executive and legislative branches of government have mandated that evidence-based policymaking be implemented in federal governmental decisional processes, including the National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism. However, there is no federal guidance that specifies how to use evidence and data to combat domestic terrorism. This thesis investigates the numerous challenges of using evidence in domestic counterterrorism initiatives and analyzes three case studies to provide recommendations for an integrated approach to the implementation of the Strategy. The findings of this thesis supplement OMBs guidance on the four components of evidence-based policymaking. Among others, it recommends that the government should institute standardized data collection, provide improved guidelines, generate a cadre of professionals trained in evaluation, establish evidence-based policymaking centers of excellence, designate a bipartisan Congressionally mandated oversight office, and create a repository that captures the methodologies and results of ongoing and completed evidence-based programs for countering domestic terrorism.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2022
Accession Number
AD1200435

Entities

People

  • Eric M. Cooper

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Engineered Resilient Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Congress
  • Counterterrorism
  • Criminals
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Health Services
  • Homeland Security
  • Interagency Coordination
  • Medical Personnel
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Political Systems
  • Public Policy
  • Social Problems
  • Social Welfare
  • Societies
  • Terrorism
  • United States Government

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.