Concluding Remarks

Abstract

Abstract The state of the literature on terrorism changed dramatically during the 2000s, when the 9/11 attacks, plus the availability of datasets on terrorism, increased exponentially the interest in the topic. Unfortunately, most of the new research had shaky theoretical and empirical foundations. The contribution of this book is examined under this light. The internal consistency and the unifying power of the understanding of terrorism as underground violence are emphasized. The conclusions also insist on the testable consequences that follow from the proposed conceptualization. The book closes with some proposals for a future research agenda. These refer to the study of clandestinity and territorial control, rebels’ transition from one stage to another, their use of different tactics and targets, recruitment and rebel survival, and, finally, a state’s choice of terrorist tactics.