Action Quote by Richard N. Haass
“Terrorism needs to be de-legitimized in the way that slavery has been. Doing so will make governments and individuals think twice before becoming a party to terrorism; it should also make it less difficult to garner support for international action against those who nevertheless carry it out.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Counterterrorism, 2022
The quote argues that terrorism should be socially condemned like slavery, discouraging participation and support for violent acts.
In simple terms: Labeling terrorism as immoral can deter involvement and aid.
Key Takeaway
Stigmatize terrorism to reduce its appeal.
Themes
morality
politics
security
Mood
urgent
thought‑provoking
Type
policy
ethical
When to use this quote
- public campaigns
- educational curricula
- legislative debates
- media narratives
Key Concepts
social stigma
legitimacy
policy framing
Questions to Reflect On
- What strategies beyond labeling can effectively prevent terrorism?
- How can societies balance condemnation with addressing root causes?
A Different Perspective
Stigmatization alone may not stop deeply rooted ideological motives.
![“As we have seen after every other [Donald] Trump controversy, this one only increased their enthusiasm for him. His supporters thought the idea of a temporary halt in Muslims coming to the U.S. was a common sense proposal in a time of great fear about terrorism.” quote by Steve Inskeep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/93a/steve-inskeep-10882_common_as-we-have-seen-after-every-other-donald_19232.jpg)
