Ensamvargar - En komparativ litteraturstudie över ensamt agerande terrorister och andra massmördare

Abstract

Aims and objectives: This study explores the phenomenon of lone wolf terrorism. Theories concerning group-based terrorism do not seem to be able to explain this type of terrorism. Because of this some researchers have turned to research on mass murder in search for alternative explanations. Lone wolf terrorists and mass murderers seem to have a similar background and share several risk factors. The aim of this study is to examine to what extent these two phenomenon can be seen as similar by comparing the theoretical framework in which the risk factors are placed. Theory and key concepts: The main theories that are being suggested for explaining lone wolf terrorism and mass murder are theories concerning grievance, what causes it and how it causes violence. These theories are Agnew’s General Strain Theory, as well as Merton’s Theory of Anomie, and Lea and Young’s Theory of Relative Deprivation. Method and data: The empirical material used in this study consists mainly of ten scientific articles examining the profile of lone wolf terrorists. This material have been complemented with secondary literature. The risk factors and the suggested theories have then been compared with the risk factors and suggested theories of mass murder. Results: The results show that not only do lone wolf terrorists and mass murderers share risk factors, the process that leads these two types of perpetrators to violence also seems to be quite similar. The strain model for school shooters, which is presented in this study, also seems to fit lone wolf terrorists. What is surprising, however, is the similarities of the motive. Both tend to create narratives justifying their violent acts, which share similar features.