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Why Americans Support Strict Counterterrorism Measures: Examining the Relationship between Concern about Terrorism and Public Support for Counterterrorism

Author

Listed:
  • Han Sungil

    (Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, 14727 University of North Carolina , Charlotte, USA)

  • Kim Wukki

    (Associate Professor, Department of Economics and Law, 65767 Korea Military Academy , Seoul, South Korea)

  • Gordon Quinn

    (Assistant Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, 5773 University of North Alabama , Florence, AL, USA)

Abstract

After 9/11, contemporary debates on security often place civil liberties and security at opposite ends of the same spectrum, requiring the loss of one for the maintenance of the other. In addition, public concerns about terrorism determine or at least color public perception about government counterterrorism activities. Thus, the current study empirically examines factors influencing the public’s perception of government activities that may infringe upon individual rights, focusing on the effects of concern about terrorism. For this study we use data collected in World Value Survey (WVS) pertaining to respondents from the U.S. The results of a series of regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) indicate that public concern about terrorism is positively associated with support for counterterrorism activities. Moreover, other factors including satisfaction with democracy, community membership and trust in the government are found to play an important role in explaining public support for counterterrorism activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Han Sungil & Kim Wukki & Gordon Quinn, 2024. "Why Americans Support Strict Counterterrorism Measures: Examining the Relationship between Concern about Terrorism and Public Support for Counterterrorism," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 30(2), pages 249-270.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:pepspp:v:30:y:2024:i:2:p:249-270:n:1002
    DOI: 10.1515/peps-2023-0056
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    support for counterterrorism activities; concern about terrorism; trust in government; structural equation model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H56 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - National Security and War
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • B0 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - General

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