NCJ Number
115646
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (November 1988) Pages: 214-228
Date Published
1988
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Law enforcement agencies have had little success in combating terrorism at least in part because of the organizational infrastructure of terrorist groups.
Abstract
Unlike most organized crime groups, which are similar in structure to classic bureaucracies, terrorist organizations employ a circular or closed structure that is unfamiliar to law enforcement personnel and makes it almost impossible for them to infiltrate for intelligence-gathering purposes. This closed structure makes it easy for the terrorist group to remain anonymous to outsiders because the group is its own support network. The leaders are active participants in the group. They therefore can directly instill a sense of purpose in members, personally recruit new members, and administer punishment rapidly and directly. In addition, the terrorist organization can operate against targets of opportunity quickly and efficiently because it is flexible and because of its vertical communication network. Finally, problems within the organization can be quickly recognized and resolved. In addition, the smaller size of the organizational units (cells) and the specialization and autonomy of the units work in harmony with the circular structure to make the organization virtually impenetrable to law enforcement efforts. Because law enforcement is only familiar with bureaucratic structures and must work within the constraints of a bureaucracy, it has been largely ineffective in its efforts. 29 references.