The role of fear in the surveillance state in times of terrorism: Explaining attitudes towards new governmental security measures

Abstract

Our theory-driven analysis focuses on the direct and indirect effects of fear of crime, fear of terrorist attacks, existential fears and punitiveness on attitudes towards new governmental security and surveillance measures in Germany. Surveys conducted in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 show that citizens with a high fear of terrorist attacks are much more supportive of public security measures restricting their freedom and civil liberties than those with low levels of fear of terrorist attacks (Davis & Silver, 2004; Huddy, Feldman, Taber, & Lahav, 2005).