NCJ Number
80305
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: (1981) Pages: 281-292
Date Published
1981
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A theoretical discussion of the inherent conflicts between a government's duty to physically protect its citizens and its duty to accord everyone certain human rights concludes that typical governmental reactions to terrorism do not reduce such incidents.
Abstract
The main problem in formulating policies to combat terrorism centers around the question of how far a democracy can afford to be undemocratic in dealing with those who seek to destroy its very existence. No one can challenge the right of a freely elected government to protect those for whom it is responsible, but the methods used can be questioned. Terrorists always begin with the disadvantage that to achieve the desired shock effect their atrocities have to outrage the public conscience. When modern terrorists strike a liberal State, the appearance at first is that of a malevolent David ranged against a benevolent Goliath. In reacting to terrorism, Goliath must be careful that his methods do not tarnish this benevolent image and reveal him as an infuriated bully. It is this transformation and loss of public sympathy that the terrorist seeks. The typical reaction of a democratic society to terrorist acts is to reinforce the police, add to their technical equipment, and extend their legal powers. This not only serves the terrorists' ends but has been used by tyrants to establish themselves from Peisistratos to Hitler to Idi Amin. Emergency powers are nearly always difficult to reverse and often come at a time when they alienate uncommitted groups in the population and drive them into opposition. The basis for a great quantity of reaction to terrorism is questionable because ordinary crime has rarely responded over the long term to increases in police and equipment. Moreover, the cost in human rights may not be worth the kind of protection which they purchase. This experience can be illustrated by attempts to control ordinary crime by the United States in the 1960's through improving police capabilities. Crime has continued to rise, however, and now law enforcement funds are being curtailed and draconian laws repealed. In West Germany, extremes of security to deal with terrorists have produced their own reaction in terms of human rights advocacy. The lesson has to be learned -- overkill can help, not reduce terrorism.