The Role of Anger in the Radicalization of Terrorists

In just the past few years, the world has experienced hundreds of terrorist attacks that, when combined, have resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians (National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, 2013). Along with this loss of life, these attacks have also resulted in the destruction of priceless cultural artifacts; the disruption or elimination of any number of social institutions, including hospitals, businesses, and schools; and tremendous economic harm. Obviously, terrorism also terrorizes. People become angry and afraid in response to terrorist attacks, even if they were not a direct victim of the violence. Governments often respond by passing new laws, some of which limit the freedom of ordinary citizens, and by expanding law enforcement, intelligence, and military capabilities. So, what is the cause of terrorism and is there anything we can do to prevent it from occurring?