Anti-terrorismus-politik. Ein Deutsch-Italienischer vergleich 1969-1982

Abstract

During the 1970s, the Western European states most severely hit by left-wing terrorist attacks and murders were Italy and the Federal Republic. The interdependency of terrorism, state and society shaped the whole decade for both democracies. In both states, the political and administrative actions against terrorism show several concurrences, albeit with a delay. Here and there, the security apparatus was broadly expanded and the penal code was made more stringent. Yet there were also differences peculiar to the respective countries. While the social-liberal Federal Government systematically (and for a long time somewhat one-sidedly) emphasised the police and the justice system, Italian government policy reacted more flexibly and strove for de-escalation through dialogue at a much earlier date. It was forced to do so due to the fact that left-wing terrorism possessed many more adherents in Italy and was therefore more dangerous than in Germany. All in all, both states succeeded in fending off not only terrorism, but also radical concepts to fight it. Despite misgivings, the rule of law was never in danger. These fears were more extensive in the Federal Republic than in Italy, where worries of a "weak state" prevailed and there was general relief when the government acted more decisively than expected. In Germany however, fear of a "surveillance state" contributed to the development of the "new social movements" at the end of the decade, even though it was possible to integrate them into the political system. In this respect, the confrontation with terrorism ultimately also contributed to a strengthening of liberal civil society. © Oldenbourg 2009.