Citation

Peretti-Watel P. Can. J. Criminol. Crim. Justice 2006; 48(3): 383-395.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Canadian Criminal Justice Association, Publisher University of Toronto Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The management of technological and health risks has been the source of many sociological studies in recent years. The purpose of this article is to draw on some of them to show how both the successes and the failures of technology and health risk management can contribute to ideas and discussions on terrorism prevention. The author examines three main questions: (1) Is terrorism a risk, or can it be treated as one through the application of conventional risk prevention tools? (2) What is, or should be, the role of the general public in preventing terrorist acts? (3) What is the primary goal of prevention? To prevent attacks or to prevent terror? Recent incidents show that managing one risk may intensify risks elsewhere and that there is a need to take into account not only the expectations and working conditions of those actually implementing the preventive measures but also public reaction. User empowerment and accountability is unlikely to be a contributing factor in terrorism prevention. On the other hand, some prevention efforts must be aimed at the general public, if only to forewarn people of the potential for terror and its devastating effects.

Language: fr.