Intro: Rethinking "Terrorism" from an international perspective

Abstract

Although today it may be considered a cliché, it is still surprising how, since the dramatic events of September 11, 2001, “terrorism” —or, rather, responses to terrorist acts locked under the concept of “fight against terrorism” - has become virtually central to all aspects of modern life. Domestically, at least in most Western countries, counter-terrorism measures have become a seemingly permanent and completely standardized part of, among other things, travel, banking, sporting events, security, policing, politics, law, charities, the media, entertainment, communications, religion, and education. In a relatively short period of time, it has also become common that, in some jurisdictions, elementary school teachers have to look for and report signs of “radicalization” in children. In fact, so many spheres of private and social life have become subject to counter-terrorism measures designed to control the risk of attacks, that some have defined this process as governance through terrorism.