Homeland Insecurity

Ann Gordon is associate professor of political science at Chapman University. She is the director of the Babbie Social Science Research Center and the Ludie and David C. Henley Social Sciences Research Laboratory. She is Co-PI of the ongoing Chapman Survey of American Fears and co-author of Fear Itself: The Causes and Consequences of Fear in America.Kai Hamilton Gentry is a recent graduate of Chapman University with a B.A. in political science. He began working on the Chapman Survey of American Fears in 2015, and served as the assistant director of the Henley Social Sciences Research Laboratory. He plans to pursue graduate work in counterterrorism analysis.

"Homeland InSecurity is a timely and comprehensive examination of the intersection of fear, conspiracy thinking, and violence. Drawing upon The Chapman Survey of American Fears, the authors present a rich and rigorous analysis of the vicious cycle linking fears, real or imagined, to physical attacks on fellow citizens, and government policy responses. This impressive and original volume puts into present-day focus Benjamin Franklin’s maxim regarding the tension between liberty and security. As dividing lines continue to harden between adversaries and political violence becomes more frequent, there has never been a greater need for such an instructive book. Anyone with even a passing interest in the roots of political violence in the contemporary United States should give this insightful book a close read."Todd L. Belt, Professor and Director, Political Management Program, The George Washington University"This distressingly timely book uses data from the Chapman University trend study of American Fears to describe what frightens us, especially fears of violence in public spaces like schools, churches, and shopping malls. Then the authors look to recent events and national data to see why those fears are not all that irrational. Finally, however, they describe some positive developments that may give us hope for the future."Earl Babbie, Campbell Professor Emeritus in Behavioral Sciences, Chapman University

• 1. Introduction 2. Terrorism 3. Mass Shootings 4. Conspiracy Theories 5. Conclusion