Shadows of War: Military Action’s Impact on Terror Anxiety in Europe

This article examines the impact of military activities on public perceptions of terrorism within Europe. Utilizing data from the European Social Survey (ESS) database, which includes 92,636 respondents from 27 countries over the period 2005–2008, we analyse how increases in military expenditures and the frequency of armed conflicts, influence the public’s fear of terrorism. Our findings show a clear correlation: as countries spend more on the military, participate more actively in conflicts, and their enemies are religiously divergent and less technologically developed, their citizens are more likely to fear terrorist attacks. However, this study also finds that higher levels of social and institutional trust, as well as greater educational attainment and diverse backgrounds of the citizens, can restrict these sentiments. The results highlight a dual need in policy-making: while military preparedness is crucial, enhancing social trust and investing in education could help reduce the heightened perceptions of terrorism risk that military actions may cause. This approach could balance national security needs with maintaining public calm and resilience.