costs and difficulties for farmers—both ranked as the biggest fear in the EU in 2000.
that somewhat. A 2002 Eurobarometer poll found that 92% of Europeans were fearful of acts of
international terrorism when presented a list of things to possibly fear (p. 13).
were quite different when Europeans were asked an open-ended question about problems. In the
2002 Chicago Council poll, terrorism did not figure highly at all with domestic concerns
important” compared to 91% in the U.S.
terrorism on both sides of the Atlantic, and a persistent difference in threat perception after the
attacks.
What would have happened if Europe had been bombed on 9/11? A bloodied Europe may
well have experienced the kind of fear and uncertainty that allowed President Bush to extend the
war on terrorism to wider threats like Iraq. Would the French have had the same qualms about
using military force in Iraq had the Eiffel Tower tipped into the Seine after being struck by a jetliner?
Would the Germans’ empathy with America lasted longer if the Reichstag’s dome collapsed in upon
itself? Would there not have been more unanimity of opinion in Europe if NATO headquarters in
Brussels were the scene of a fiery conflagration?
While these what-if questions are very hard to answer, they may shed light on the
significance of the past as it actually happened. One counter-argument is that Europe has long had
11
60% identified these at two important fears (p.60). 2001.
12
Unemployment/ factory closure was identified as the most important problem in Poland (51%), Italy (35%), and
Germany (21%). The French identified as crime/law and order as the top issue (34%). Race relations/immigration
was identified as the most significant issue in the UK by 17% of those polled while 12% of the Dutch identified
family values (pp. 4-6). 2003c.
13
2002d. Among international issues, terrorism ranked as the highest preoccupation in Europe, but was only
mentioned by 3% in the unprompted question (pg. 9). Chicago Council on Foreign Relations and the German
Marshall Fund of the United States 2002.
14
In Germany, 63% responded that way, 60% of French, 74% of British, and 67% of Italians (pg. 32). 2002d. A
2002 poll found slightly different results. 50% of Americans viewed terrorism as a “very big” problem, surprisingly
less than France (65%) and Italy (71%) but greater than Germany and Poland (45%) and the UK (23%), (pg. 32).
Pew Research Center For The People & The Press 2002.
9
Convention