Terrorism, Security, and Liberal Democracy: Conflict, Interplay, Resilience
Terrorism, Security, and Liberal Democracy: Conflict, Interplay, Resilience

Summary/Abstract: The effects of radicalism and terror have become increasingly common in the Western world, whether through terrorist attacks or through the debates and policies affected by such events. The article points to the importance of the ideological dimension and of totalizing worldviews in approaching militant movements, which are willing to make use of terrorist tactics. Moreover, the article approaches the arguments and the tension between “democratic values” and “democratic efficiency” in dealing with the threat of militancy and terrorism. Democratic, pluralist societies may successfully confront the threat of militantism and terrorism by returning to the root causes of the phenomenon and by clearly defining the ideological worldview of such movements. The article concludes that, while the objectives of both of these perspectives must ultimately work together, more efforts must be placed in confronting the ideological base that enables the emergence and resilience of totalistic visions with a potential for militant implementation.

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