ABSTRACT
YES: The continuing threat to state security
James Lutz and Brenda Lutz
This part of the chapter argues that terrorism is a serious threat to international and national security. It demonstrates how a number of states have been seriously affected by terrorism in the past as well as the potential future impact of terrorism in cases where it is ignored. A number of empirical examples are cited, including changes in the structure of the states caused by fascist groups after World War I, and the fact that the Chechen conflict or the ideological violence in Turkey have led to the destabilisation of entire regions. It is also pointed out that in recent years, the side effects of terrorism have been an increase in costs and negative effects on democracy and human rights.
NO: The myth of terrorism as an existential threat
Jessica Wolfendale
This part of the chapter argues that there is little empirical evidence that terrorism poses an existential threat, especially to Western states, and that other threats such as state terrorism or climate change, are much more serious. Instead, it is suggested that the idea that terrorism poses an existential security threat is a narrative promoted by states based on an extreme form of risk management and which allows them to restrict civil liberties. Overall, it is argued that the response to the narrated threat of terrorism has been over-exaggerated, extremely costly and mostly ineffective.
