I recently came across a forthcoming JCR article by Walter Enders and Paan Jinapon; two prominent terrorism scholars with a bent for rational choice theory. The article entitled, “Network Externalities and the Structure of Terror Networks,” attempts to examine the conditions under which various network structures become optimal for terrorists—specifically—the hierarchical structure vs. a decentralized structure. The paper presents an interesting approach to modeling one potential mechanism for structural patterns; however, there are several problems with the authors’ perspective on terrorist networks and networks in general that warrant discussion.
The authors chose to limit their analysis to a specific network type, known as regular graphs. This family of graphs is defined as the set of graphs in which all vertices have the same number of edges. The authors provide several examples of regular graphs, as depicted in the figure above. While central to several graphic theoretic paradigms and containing many convenient algebraic properties (none used), regular graphs have little or nothing to do with the social structure. Those with even a minimal exposure to social network data will find this assumption particularly curious.
To be clear, however, their model is of terrorist cells rather than full networks and as such it is reasonable to posit this level of abstraction in order to keep the model parsimonious . In fact, had this been the only problem their model would be an interesting foundation for empirical tests, despite its limited applied relevance. Unfortunately, the authors implicitly violate a fundamental network analysis construct.
The following passage from the introduction initial raised concern:
The purpose of this paper is to analyze some of the important differences between the hierarchical and new terrorist network structures. Our focus is on the fact that hierarchical structures have the ability to coordinate the activities of all network members and to take advantage of important network externalities. In contrast, flat networks necessitate decentralized decision making such that the individual nodes may make decisions that do not perfectly align with the overall interests of the terrorist group.
The implied assumption is that all ties are created and function equally. A hierarchical network under constant external threat (e.g., law enforcement) cannot simply execute command and control functions through a single network structure. Terrorist organizations must build high-dimensional networks containing several modes of relaying information and resources. Likewise, a decentralized network may be able to operate independently or with limited connectivity to a central organizing structure, and thus exist in an equally complex structures.
When different dimensions of connectivity are collapsed into a single dimension the analyst assumes that a personal relationship carries the same weight or has the same functionality as a email exchange or telephone communication. This, however, is most certainly not the case. In order to properly analyze the structure of a network these modes must remain separate, especially in terrorist networks where connection types are often a response to various law enforcement policies. The model presented here, as with many others, does not account for this complexity and as a result has limited value.
In my view, the emergent literature comparing the incentives for hierarchical network structures versus decentralized organizations is moot. Clearly, terrorists organizations are constantly restructuring their networks in response to their threat environment, which often results in hybrid structures. As a result terrorist networks are most often observed as having a distinct core-periphery structure; wherein, a clear hierarchy exists at the network’s core with evermore decentralized groups forming at the periphery. The better questions is how can law enforcement construct a policy (i.e., mechanism) that incentives terrorist networks to structure in either rigid hierarchies or only splintered cells.
Photo: Enders and Jindapon (JCR forthcoming)
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can you give me some examples of the differences between a terrorist organization, and a terrorist network I’m a criminal justice student try to understand the differences. you help would be greatly appreciated.
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