Contemporary Terrorism Paradigm: Terrorist Attacks on Transportation Systems

Author

Gabbi Berlanti, University of Mississippi. Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

First Advisor

Francis Boateng

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

The Contemporary Terrorism Paradigm has been examined in concept, but little research has applied the theory to specific targeting of terrorist organizations. To build on this limited research, the current study analyzed the number of terrorist incidents targeting the transportation infrastructure in North America, Western Europe, and East Asia between 2001 and 2016 to ascertain if the Contemporary Terrorism Paradigm explains the variance between number of incidents and number of casualties. The use of North America, Western Europe, and East Asia created an opportunity to examine vulnerabilities in the transportation infrastructure and identify areas in the United States transportation infrastructure for target hardening. The incidents were subsequently divided into incidents targeting road transportation and rail transportation. However, some research questions address the transportation infrastructure. The study also examined weapon type and number of incidents resulting in casualty. The study found statistically significant results that support the application of the Contemporary Terrorism Paradigm to the targeting of the transportation infrastructure.

Recommended Citation

Berlanti, Gabbi, "Contemporary Terrorism Paradigm: Terrorist Attacks on Transportation Systems" (2018). Honors Theses. 1248.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1248

Accessibility Status

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