Counterterrorism and society: the contradiction of the surveillance state – understanding the relationship among communities, state authorities, and society

In Liberal democracies the relationship between communities, authorities and by the extension the political establishment and broader society, to a large extend determines the success of counter terrorism operations. Communities’ engagement with authorities is damaged by covert surveillance, and practices that appear to undermine perceptions of procedural fairness, weakening individuals’ and communities’ perceptions of legitimacy and trust in the state. Debates about national identity and othering further enhance a sense of alienation felt by Muslim communities and erodes their shared sense of identity and affinity with the perceived national identity. Such barriers, a lack of trust and perceptions of alienation decrease the likelihood of engagement, necessitating more intrusive surveillance measures to obtain intelligence needed to reduce the threat of terrorism. Perceptions of procedural fairness are further undermined, affecting trust and perceptions of legitimacy, stifling future engagement with the state and wider society, which are crucial for successful counter-terrorism operations