I found this article at UT Austin, about a professor who has specialized in the study of terrorism. He brings up some interesting points about the recruitment of terrorists. In his book about Suicide terrorism he develops the idea that many suicide bombers are not poor illiterate souls who have a death wish. Nor do they even know who they are really killing themselves for. Instead they just think they are serving the people of their community and assume that this is the only way to establish change.
This is contrary to what I have heard about suicide terrorists, I have always assumed it was one of the down trodden society who were brainwashed into believing in the cause. But many of the people recruited are making conscious decisions to blow themselves up, usually because of some feeling or desire to improve the lives of their neighbors. It was also noted that the people believe they are sacrificing for the cause, suicide is not in the job description when being recruited. It's kinda funny how if you change the name of something it suddenly becomes not only acceptable but desirable.
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This supports the idea that suicide terrorism is not only collectively rational, but is individually rational as well. The individual suicide bomber rationally performs a cost-benefit analysis and decides to die for the cause. He may see how his family will benefit financially; how he will bring honor to their name; how he may please Allah; and may even believe that seventy-two virgins await his arrival into heaven.
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