Terrorism and Security
Terrorism is the use of violence to create fear for political aims, and governments work to prevent it while protecting freedoms.
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Terrorism is the use of violence to create fear for political aims, and governments work to prevent it while protecting freedoms.
- Intelligence services gather information
- Security measures must respect rights
- Communities can help prevent extremism
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Terrorism and Security?
Within Economics & Civics, which covers money, markets, business, government, law and citizenship: how societies are organised and run, this topic explains Terrorism and Security. Economics and civics topics explain how money, markets, laws and government affect people, so each topic here pairs a clear definition with a model.
Check that you can explain Terrorism and Security in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Terrorism and Security helps you read the news critically and weigh up policies, choices and arguments about society.
Terrorism and Security in detail
Terrorism is the use of violence or threats, usually against civilians, to create fear and achieve political, religious or ideological aims. Causes are complex and may include extremism, grievances and radicalisation, which can happen online or in communities.
Governments respond with intelligence, policing, border controls, laws and international cooperation, and by working to prevent radicalisation through programmes such as Prevent in the UK. Debates concern the balance between security and civil liberties, such as surveillance and detention. Resilience, community cohesion and education help to counter extremism. Reporting concerns to the authorities is part of keeping people safe.
How the interactive helps you understand Terrorism and Security
Click a card to flip it and reveal the answer, then move on to the next one.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Terrorism and Security.
Real-life uses and examples
- Relate Terrorism and Security to a news story about prices, jobs, elections or government spending.
- Use Terrorism and Security to weigh up the pros and costs of a policy or decision.
- Explain Terrorism and Security to a classmate using a choice you make yourself, such as spending pocket money.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Giving an opinion without evidence or a clear economic or civic reason.
- Confusing a short-term effect with a long-term one.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Terrorism and Security
What is Terrorism and Security?
Terrorism is the use of violence to create fear for political aims, and governments work to prevent it while protecting freedoms.
What are the most important points about Terrorism and Security?
The main points are: Intelligence services gather information; Security measures must respect rights; Communities can help prevent extremism.
Why is Terrorism and Security useful?
Understanding Terrorism and Security helps you read the news critically and weigh up policies, choices and arguments about society.
How can I practise Terrorism and Security?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Terrorism and Security?
Related topics in Economics & Civics include Social Enterprise, Stocks and Shares, Population and the Economy.