" Terrorism."

 •Introduction:

One of the main characteristics of present-day security landscape is terrorism, both on its global scale and at the level of every nation. It is worth noting that the aftermath of terrorist attacks is not limited to the material destruction that is incurred after the strike and the number of dead and injured. It affects the society in a waveform, and the aspects affected go beyond the loss of lives or destruction of infrastructure and property to include peace, order, and development of nations for the decades to come. This research paper focuses on the costs, especially social and economic, that terrorism brings to the states exposed to such threats, looking at how such acts of terror influence social integration, rule of law, dynamics of economic development, investments, and people’s wellness.

•Social Consequences of Terrorism:

1.Separating from Society:

In every society where there is violence, one of the notable social consequences is the breakdown of trust among the members of such society. This is frequently experienced in the social fabric following a terrorist incident. Groups and individuals become suspicious of each other, especially if the attack can be ascribed to members of a certain religion, ethnicity, or political ideology. This in turn causes a refracture, as apprehension or panic is directed towards already existing deep-rooted social beliefs. The glue that binds people together as a society and fosters relations is trust and the social underpinnings of such relations suffer when people are under threat and the society polarizes.

Quite often, the states and the internal and external media, which may also include the internet, can contribute to these social fissures even more in the aftermath of the attack. When some communities are held responsible or regarded as a possible threat, such communities are likely to suffer from exclusion or persecution which results to disconnection and more division. For instance, in a number of Western countries after terrorist attacks of violent Islamic extremism members of the Islamic community were subject to discrimination and even repressive measures. As a result, negative feelings and suspicions towards each other emerge between the community and the society at large hampering the social cohesion and integration between the two.

2. Psychological Effects:

Terrorism leads to widespread psychological trauma not only on the active fronts but also on the peripheries. The potential for the resurgence of terrorism at any moment can induce what is known as chronical fear or insecurity, “societal trauma.” Apart from the ripples that impact the populace at large, victims and their relatives bear the most emotionally interfering scars. Additionally, excess media coverage over the occurrence of terror acts will also serve to enhance this impact by instituting a fear curtain.

 Furthermore, “vicarious trauma” may also occur where individuals not involved in any violent attack are still exposed to pictures of the attack. This process usually results in overexposure to violence that may either prompt an aversion to or an irrational fear of, violence.

3. Consequences in Governance and Individual Freedom: 

Similar to any other acts of violence, terrorism also elicits drastic reactions from the governments which often result in the adoption of overtly aggressive policies in most instances infringing on the rights of individuals. In the interests of preserving the country’s sovereign integrity, it is more likely that the government will endorse legislations that will curb movements, expressions, gatherings and other freedoms. Such measures while justifiable because there is a high likelihood of possible attacks being planned as well as executed, they contemptibly possess an undertone of tyranny especially in poorly structured democracies.

The increasing surveillance of the citizenry and the growing scope of powers deemed emergency may lead to a loss of confidence in the government since the populace will feel that their rights are being suppressed. On occasions, the states have overstated the danger of terrorism to cover up for governmental oppression directed to particular socio-political elements. In certain authoritarian systems for instance, variation of counter-terrorism policies have targeted the media, civil opposition and other minorities using national security as the reason.

4. Social Discrimination and Exclusion of Certain Groups:

Terrorism often results to the discrimination and exclusion of certain populations. Often, Muslims, immigrants, and even refugees have to deal with the consequences of such actions, especially where there is a person or a group who can be associated with extremist Islamic terrorism. This stigma may express itself in more than one way – verbal and physical abuse, discrimination, and social ostracizing.

Processes of political exclusion towards certain ethnical groups increase the likelihood of conflict within the society as they form what is called a vicious cycle of alienation and radicalization. Those feelings are dangerous, because a person who feels cut off from all social connections and depressed, would be looking for other sources of interest and may easily turn to extremists who offer such emotions. Because of this, the contextual results of terrorism usually fuel the very elements that lead to more terrorism, creating a cycle.

•Social Effects of Terrorism:

1. Direct Economic Costs or Consequences of Terrorism:

Terrorism tends to bear staggering economic consequences as regards its transitory aspects. Terrorism has its roots in violence and therefore is targeted against civil populations where infrastructures are destroyed and lives and property lost. Major terrorist incidents took place within the United States on September 11, in London during the 2005 attacks or in Paris faced with terrorists in 2015 caused billions worth of economic damage not only directed mainly at the terrorists’ enemies, but broadly engaged in economic activities like air travel, shipping, and even trade.

In addition to physical damage which can be estimated on a balance sheet, other costs associated with emergency services, healthcare for the injured, and payments to people and businesses who have suffered losses can be more significant. There is a need for governments around the world to put in place such measures which brings about a lot of cuts in other areas such as education, health, and even construction.

2. Effects on Foreign Direct Investment and Tourism:

Terrorism produces a climate of instability and uncertainty, which negatively impacts foreign direct investment (FDI) and tourism – two primary factors of economic growth, especially in developing nations. Capital is less likely to be invested in places where there is high risk of terrorism due to the expectation of asset destruction or an anticipated collapse in the country’s economy. Such a situation is quite lethal for countries that expect to develop through foreign capital investments.

Another area that is adversely affected by terrorist acts is tourism. As in the example of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the short span of the period which was characterized by trips around the world, air travels particularly, it was observed that a growing number of people had shunned the idea of traveling by air. In countries such as Egypt that capitalize largely on tourist activities, economic declines have been clamored for in the aftermath of attacks targeting tourists or popular tourist sites. The impact on tourism on a country considered dangerous by many can take years if not even decades, to go back to the levels of tourism that existed before the attack.

3. Economic Stagnation: Historical perspective:

Terrorism of course has other consequences on the economic of a nation apart from the short term effect. Empirical evidences have suggested that countries suffering from terrorism have lower GDP growth rates when compared to countries that do not. This has already been discussed from the standpoint of the damage of physical assets and people, but also there is a factor of disruption this kind of menace brings with it over a period of time.

People tend to shy away from making such investments when they do not see a secure future in any business environment. This can lead to slowed economic growth, rise in unemployment levels and rise in poverty levels.

4. Trade Relations:

Another way trade can be affected is through terrorism. It can raise transportation costs, create new limits on the flow of people and goods, and trigger other trade measures. Instances of terrorism at networks of transportation facilities such as ports, bridges and pipelines can cut off the movement of goods making it difficult to maintain supplies thereby causing disruption of markets in the globe.

Such as piracy at sea where terrorist groups are involved, has markedly affected the shipping services within the currents of the Gulf of Aden or the Straits of Malacca, escalating logistics costs and causing the incursion in transit period. Eventually, such disturbances will create a situation difficult economically in the operation of those regions, leading to decreased levels of trade which in turn affects countries that rely heavily on exports.

•Effects on the Economy and Society:

The most effective case in point in showing how terrorism can be a social and economic threat is 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The attacks’ direct economic effect was assessed to be about $100 billion dollars which include loss from destruction of World Trade Centre, damage of the neighboring infrastructures and losses incurred due to closure of clients’ businesses. In addition, there are estimates that range into the trillions of dollars as far as long-term effects, for instance, with regard to the military and internal security measures come into focus.

9/11 attacks proved to be socially devastating for the Americans. There was a wave of nationalism and solidarity right after the attacks but this was short lived and broke way to suspicion and fear particularly of Muslim Americans. Several policies were passed by the U.S. government including the Patriot Act which allowed increased surveillance capability at the expense of some civil liberties under the guise of national security.

The psychological impact of the September 11 attacks on the citizens of a country as secure as the US was enormous, with most, if not all, of the Americans reporting increased levels of anxiety and fear for possible future attacks. This situation of helplessness was also further aggravated by the later threats such as the Boston Marathon in 2013 and other shootings motivated by radical practices.

•Summation:

Terrorism entails both social and economic repercussions which are extensive and complicated to these states in the short and in the long run. On the one hand, as in the case of the US Society, terrorism intensifies mistrust and disunity and also creates an atmosphere of fear and high suspicion. The same is true within economies where it paralyzes commerce, dissuades, and coerces government and private sector entities to incur debts. Terrorism is not only about the period that immediately follows an attack but that it can remain effective for decades through engineering a radical change of national order.

To fight against terrorism successfully, the states should not only react to the existing threat to security, but try to deal with the social and economic aftereffects of terrorism as well. This needs a compromise in which security is enhanced but civil rights are not compromised, there is social order but also economic development. In the absence of these, terrorism will remain a scourge to the peace and tranquility of the world.