Impact of Terrorism:

At first we should know what is terrorism. Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or oblige a government or its citizens to further certain political or social objectives.

The impact of terrorism:

Terrorism has an impact on the societies that it affects or targets. While this impact can be one-off or limited, nowadays—with the terrorism of radical Islamic groups such as al-Qaeda and, more recently, ISIS—it tends to be heavy and long lasting, even if it does change over time.

Terrorism aims to create terror, a feeling of insecurity, and the idea that leaders can no longer protect those they lead. It leaves people stopped, and has an emotional impact that lives on through its political implications.

These political expressions relate first and foremost to democracy and the separation of powers, and can lead to the unraveling and abuse of existing structures, in ways that work to the government’s advantage. They can also benefit the causes of populists or nationalists, playing out in favor of authoritarianism.

If the impact of terrorism is lasting, it becomes cultural: individuals change their habits and behaviors, learning for example not to be passive in the event of a terrorist attack, and going about their daily lives keeping in the back of their minds the possibility that a terrorist attack could take place. They also consume differently, which has a number of effects, including considerable economic ones. Terrorism changes people’s understanding of reality.

Tourist flows are also affected by terrorist attacks, and new investments are generated, particularly in security. It obliges companies to take new measures, prompting them to monitor their staff in new ways and based on criteria—notedly religious criteria—that can be highly contentious. It also impacts prison staff, prison life, and how prisons work.

The terrorism of today is fast becoming a global phenomenon, rooted in logics that exist both within and outside of the societies it affects. In turn, this influences diplomacy, intelligence, and war.

It affects certain societies that have been willing to recognize victims for half a century now, and that today make a priority of remembrance, even if this has an influence on history. The large number of victims of terrorism has led to the creation of victims’ associations, memorials and memorial projects, as well as museums.

Terrorism affects some groups more than others, such as Jews and Muslims in societies in which they are the minority. It also dehumanizes or marginalizes minority groups (such as Muslims in Western countries), making the public believe that members of these groups are complicit in this terrorism and are therefore criminals.

Lastly, terrorism gives rise to policies that are repressive, but also preventive, or those aimed at exiting violence, using deradicalization programs for example. It calls for analyses and research studies, such as those conducted by the FMSH, supported by the Open Society Foundations, which aim to fully understand terrorism’s impact on French society.

Thank you so much for reading my article.