Inciting fear for terrorism: a critical review of current counter-terrorism policies and how they increase fear

Abstract

Is the fear of possible terrorist attacks justified? Do counter-terrorism policies provide a feeling of security or do they lead to more fear? What kind of policies should be enacted to reduce fear? This article reviews studies that address the way in which governments cope with-and sometimes even stoke-public fears. The author's contention is that fear of terrorist attacks is disproportionate. The perceived risk of dying in terrorist attacks is much greater than the actual risk. Therefore, counter-terrorism policies are necessary. Terrorism might be one of the most difficult problems to solve, because, in reality, it is the threat of terrorism we fight, and not terrorism itself. The researchers cited in this article are very critical of the way governments deal with this problem. They contend that governments overemphasize the threat and therefore only increase public fears. These researchers suggest a new kind of counter-terrorism policy, in which the main goal is to reduce fear. It is the goal of terrorists to spread fear and panic. Governments should prevent, rather than facilitate, the achievement of this goal.