No CrossRef data available.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 January 2008
If a future terrorist attack results in casualties on American soil,what, if any, government compensation should be provided to victims?Despite the enormous attention given to the September 11, 2001,attacks and the near universal sympathy for their casualties, thereis no apparent consensual answer to the above question amongpoliticians, academics, or within society at large. While tens ofbillions of dollars in public funds have been allocated topreventing another attack, and tens of thousands of personnel hourshave been devoted to simulations aimed at helping victims in theimmediate aftermath, relatively little attention has been given towhat support might (or might not) be justified to provide for longerterm needs. Victim compensation remains off the radar screen foreven the vast majority of people whose daily lives are significantlyconsumed by contemplating terrorism.The authors would like to thank Michael Powers, Bruce Wolk, twoanonymous referees for PS, participants in thePPA/Economics brownbag seminar, and Lascher's PPA 210 studentsfor helpful comments on earlier drafts of this article.