Abstract

SERRANO SANZ, Adrián. “The Dual Threat Paradox”: A Theoretical Approach to the Support of Anti-terrorist Policies. Rev. mex. cienc. polít. soc [online]. 2020, vol.65, n.239, pp.193-221.  Epub Jan 31, 2020. ISSN 0185-1918.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fcpys.2448492xe.2020.239.64519.

Since the Paris attacks of 2015, the classic debate about the relationship between security and freedom has been reactivated in Europe. However, it is necessary to tackle why people accept being restricted in their freedoms in situations of political exceptionality. The present paper develops a theoretical approach to the acceptance of freedom restrictions through “the dual threat paradox”, describing the process of acceptance through an integrative model of the rally ‘round the flag effect, psychological reactance theory, and the reorganization of individual motivational dispositions which would produce that acceptance, easing the appearance and maintenance of political systems based on security.

Keywords : dual threat; terrorism; counterterrorism; security; counterterrorism policies.