Effectiveness of public policies in preventing terrorism in ten fast-growing countries

Purpose This study aims to assess the effectiveness of public policies implemented to prevent terrorism in the ten fast-growing countries. Design/methodology/approach The analysis utilizes annual data (2002-2021) from ten countries: Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, and Türkiye. It employs unit root tests to scrutinize whether the impacts of anti-terrorism policies are permanent or transient. Findings The terrorism variable is largely stationary in the ten fast-growing countries. Analyzing the CADF test results for the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) variable reveals distinct stationarity patterns across the panel. (1) In the constant-only model, the GTI variable is stationary at the 5% significance level for Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa, and at the 10% significance level for China and Poland. The panel stationarity result as a whole is significant at the 1 percent significance level. (2) In the constant-and-trend model, Indonesia, Mexico, and Poland show stationarity at the 10% significance level, while the full panel result is stationary at the 5% significance level. These findings suggest that the impact of shocks from terrorist incidents is temporary which may indicate effective implementation of anti-terrorism policies in these high-growth countries. Originality/value The study addresses a literature gap by examining the stationarity of the terrorism variable. Its recommendations emphasize consistent policy implementation, enhanced international cooperation, and coordinated efforts.