Finally, David Rapoport poses the broadest, historically based hypothesis on the life cycles of terrorist groups. He argues that over the course of modern history waves of international terrorist activity last about a generation (by which he means approximately 40 years). These waves are characterized by expansion and contraction and have an international character, with similar activities in several countries driven by a common ideology. Two factors are critical to Rapoport’s waves: a transformation in communication or transportation patterns, and a new doctrine or culture. Using this
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