Freedom and tolerance are the answers rather than security

The author contends that increasing security measures and restricting liberties in response to terrorist attacks in Paris and elsewhere is ineffective and risks further marginalizing religious groups. The text highlights the rise of far-right movements like Pegida in Germany and the AfD, as well as the growth of populist discourse in Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark. It argues that structural issues—such as the 'apartheid' between French cities and banlieues, youth unemployment, and resource tensions—drive instability. The document advocates for a strategy based on education, equal rights for minorities, and the reinforcement of universal values of freedom and solidarity to combat extremism.

• The author asserts that security-focused responses to terrorism are insufficient and that the Western approach of the last 15 years has failed to stop the rise of terrorism, as evidenced by young people joining conflicts in Syria.
• Following the attacks in Paris, the author anticipates a trend toward 'securitarian-style' decisions, including reinforced border controls, laws restricting freedoms, and an exclusionary version of secularism.
• The document identifies a rise in far-right and populist movements across Europe, specifically mentioning Pegida in Germany, the AfD, and political discourses in Austria, the Netherlands (Geert Wilders), Sweden (Sweden Democrats), and Denmark (Danish People’s Party).
• The author links the rise of extremism and social tension to structural failures, including the 'apartheid' between French cities and banlieues, poverty affecting 25% of European citizens, and global tensions over access to resources.
• To effectively counter terrorism, the document proposes an ambitious educational program, addressing youth unemployment, fostering inter-religious cooperation, and protecting the rights of migrants, LGBT, and handicapped people.

APA

Barbalata, A. C. M. T. M. (2015). Freedom and tolerance are the answers rather than security. Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/freedom-and-tolerance-are-the-answers-rather-than-security/

Chicago

Barbalata, Anna Cavazzini, Marie Toussaint, Marina. Freedom and tolerance are the answers rather than security. Green European Journal, 2015. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/freedom-and-tolerance-are-the-answers-rather-than-security/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Barbalata |first1=Anna Cavazzini, Marie Toussaint, Marina |title=Freedom and tolerance are the answers rather than security |publisher=Green European Journal |date=16 February 2015 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/freedom-and-tolerance-are-the-answers-rather-than-security/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{barbalata2015freedom, author = {Barbalata, Anna Cavazzini, Marie Toussaint, Marina}, title = {{Freedom and tolerance are the answers rather than security}}, publisher = {Green European Journal}, year = {2015}, month = feb, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/freedom-and-tolerance-are-the-answers-rather-than-security/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }