Study: Feelings of threat lead to restricted civil liberties

[HuckleB]

Feelings of threat lead to restricted civil liberties

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=25199

"A study published in the latest issue of American Journal of Political Science examines how two different psychological reactions to terrorism (perceived threat and anxiety) play a role in the public's support of antiterrorist policies. The authors find that perceived threat increases a desire for retaliation and promotes animosity towards a threatening enemy. As the perception increased, people become more supportive of restricting the rights of groups broadly associated with terrorism and policies that limit the civil liberties for all citizens. Conversely, anxiety increases the desire to avoid risk and dangerous situations; it did not increase support for precautionary surveillance by the government.

The study focused on the individual feelings of the U.S., as a country, being at threat. More than 1,500 adults were surveyed via telephone in the post-September 11, 2001 time period between early October 2001 and early March 2002. Higher levels of perceived threat were also linked to greater support of U.S. military intervention and policies that would restrict the number of foreign visitors to the States and single out Arabs for special attention after entry. Threat also intensified negative stereotypes of Arabs. The authors found a clear link between anxiety and military opposition as well-- the opposite effect. Anxiety decreased approval of President Bush's handling of the situation, i.e. military action and overseas involvement. It also had no substantial impact on polices directed at Arabs or the endorsement of Arab stereotypes. "Over the long term, perceived threat provides the government with greater leeway to increase domestic surveillance and restrict civil freedoms in its fight against terrorism," the authors Leonie Huddy, Stanley Feldman, Charles Taber, and Gallya Lahav state.

..."



I know. I know. Shocking, isn't it? LOL! What's even more shocking is that the MSM is ignoring this study completely. :eyes: You can't have research pointing to the obvious out in the public eye. That would be dangerous.

[BlueIris]

1. That is totally LOL.

Good Lord. Shocking indeed.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. American Journal of Political Science.... anybody a subscriber?

I'm trying to get access to the full study, but I'm not about to pay $25 bucks for it!

this is all I have so far...
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-5907.2005.00144.x;jsessionid=oILyTdddU7Qg?cookieSet=1&journalCode=ajps

American Journal of Political Science
Volume 49 Issue 3 Page 593 - July 2005
doi:10.1111/j.1540-5907.2005.00144.x


Threat, Anxiety, and Support of Antiterrorism Policies
Leonie Huddy1
1Stony Brook University
, Stanley Feldman2
2Stony Brook University
Charles Taber3
3Stony Brook University
Gallya Lahav4
4Stony Brook University
The perception of threat and the experience of anxiety are distinct but related public reactions to terrorism. Anxiety increases risk aversion, potentially undercutting support for dangerous military action, consistent with terrorists' typical aims. Conversely, perceived threat increases a desire for retaliation and promotes animosity toward a threatening enemy, in line with the usual goals of affected governments. Findings from a national telephone survey confirm the differing political effects of anxiety and perceived threat. The minority of Americans who experienced high levels of anxiety in response to the September 11 attacks were less supportive of aggressive military action against terrorists, less approving of President Bush, and favored increased American isolationism. In contrast, the majority of Americans who perceived a high threat of future terrorism in the United States (but were not overly anxious) supported the Bush administration's antiterrorism policies domestically and internationally


On edit - Whoohoo! I found the draft online

http://www.ajps.org/articles/49.3.Huddy.ms31303

[HuckleB]

3. Good question.

I'm in the same boat.

[bicentennial_baby]

4. And in other news...

water is still wet.