The Mindsets of High-Technology Terrorists: Future Implications from an Historical Analog
Abstract
How do terrorists rationalize their attraction to high-technology super-explosives? This Note identifies elements of the mindsets of nineteenth century dynamite terrorists, as an historical analog that may provide insights into the psychological and political attributes of possible future nuclear terrorists. A strict comparison of the physical properties of dynamite and nuclear explosives might make the analogy seem implausible. However, the late nineteenth century terrorists believed that dynamite, the premier scientific explosive of its time, could endow them with extraordinary power to accomplish grandiose aims-- much as we expect would be the case with nuclear terrorists. An examination of the thoughts and actions of the dynamite terrorists thus leads to the identification of some central themes that have occurred, and may recur, in the mindsets of terrorists who are attracted to high-technology super-explosives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA484019
Entities
People
- David Ronfeldt
- William Sater
Organizations
- RAND Corporation