ABSTRACT
Terrorism is a psychological weapon. Its success is measured by the perceptible and social harm it creates in the people targeted. Engendering fear triggers a cascade of consequences usually culminating in economic and social harm. The long-term effects of terrorism include increased social fragmentation that weakens the resolve of a nation by reducing its ability to maintain a sense of common purpose in the face of an enemy. More subtly, the recurrent threat posed by terrorism can cause a hardening of attitudes that undermines the ideals and creativity of a society. Ultimately, the challenge posed by terrorism to a nation is whether the nation will become more rigid in its pursuit of safety or respond to the challenge by refining its values to increase its capacity for creativity in the face of adversity. The choice a nation faces is whether to become more resilient or merely more vigilant. The risk of hyper-vigilance is that it may lead to sacrificing cherished values.
