Universal patterns underlying ongoing wars and terrorism

M Spagat, N. F Johnson, J. A Restrepo, O Becerra, J. C Bohórquez, E. M Restrepo, R Zarama

Research output: Working paperDiscussion paper

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Abstract

we report a remarkable universality in the patterns of violence in three high profile ongoing wars, and in global terrorism. Our results suggest that these quite different conflict arenas currently feature a common type of enemy, i.e. the various insurgent forces are beginning to operate in a similar way regardles of their underlying idealogies, motivations and the terrain in which they operate. We provide a microscopic theory to explain our main observations. This theory treats the insurgent force as a generic, self-organizing system which is dynamically evolving through the continual coalescence and fragmentation of its constituent groups.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2006

Publication series

NameConflict

Keywords

  • Terrorism
  • Conflict
  • War

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