DEFEATING AND DETERRING DOMESTIC TERRORISM THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING

Abstract

This thesis investigates how evidence-based policymaking can be employed to improve policy decisions and resource allocations aimed at deterring and defeating domestic terrorism. The executive and legislative branches of government have mandated that evidence-based policymaking be implemented in federal governmental decisional processes, including the National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism. However, there is no federal guidance that specifies how to use evidence and data to combat domestic terrorism. This thesis investigates the numerous challenges of using evidence in domestic counterterrorism initiatives and analyzes three case studies to provide recommendations for an integrated approach to the implementation of the Strategy. The findings of this thesis supplement OMB’s guidance on the four components of evidence-based policymaking. Among others, it recommends that the government should institute standardized data collection, provide improved guidelines, generate a cadre of professionals trained in evaluation, establish evidence-based policymaking centers of excellence, designate a bipartisan Congressionally mandated oversight office, and create a repository that captures the methodologies and results of ongoing and completed evidence-based programs for countering domestic terrorism.