How Is Terrorism Changing Us?

This book examines how the perception of terrorism threat polarizes political attitudes such as ideology, support for security-oriented policies, and attitudes towards immigrants. The book presents original empirical evidence collected in the USA, Europe and Australia, and discusses both the social and the psychological mechanisms explaining the relationship between the perception of terrorism threat and political attitudes. Research in the book posits questions that others have largely avoided: what are the different social and psychological mechanisms that explain why the threat of terrorism can change political attitudes? What is the role of media in the perception of terrorism threat? Does everyone react in the same way to the threat of terrorism? What is the relationship between terrorism and death threats? This book will help readers distinguish between groundless speculation and solid scientific knowledge on the topic. Moreover, it provides concrete recommendations on how to prevent the most negative consequences of the polarization of political attitudes, such as social divisions, exclusivism and conflict. Given the broad geographical scope of the research presented in the book, specifically North America, Europe and Australia, this book will appeal to broad scope of readers.