[harvard.edu] "Freedom squelches terrorist violence." This study from Harvard concludes that terrorism levels are lowest in countries where there is either a great deal of political freedom, or where there is severe political repression. The author states that "...nations making the transition to more open, democratic governments - such as currently taking place in Iraq and Russia - may be politically unstable, which makes them more vulnerable." He goes on to say, "When you go from an autocratic regime and make the transition to democracy, you may expect a temporary increase in terrorism." The author, Alberto Abadie, also found a link between geography and terrorism.

http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette.../05-terror.html

Abadie, Alberto. "Poverty, Political Freedom, and the Roots of Terrorism." KSG Faculty Research Working Paper Series RWP04-043, October 2004.