Threats to society Summary : This activity comprises three exercises (Activities 3, 4 and 5). The first requires students to try to think about how those in power can justify the suspension of human rights. For the second students will decide what measures they would put in place to protect the UK from a terrorist attack if they were Prime Minister. The final exercise guides them to an opinion of the current anti-terrorism legislation. Learning Objective : To consider the way in which societies respond to threats and whether it is sometimes justifiable to compromise the rights of individuals for the good of society at large. Key Words : Perceived threat, appropriate response, minority, majority, suspension of rights, terrorism, suspect, detain, human rights Key Questions : How could Danforth and the other prosecutors in the Salem trials justify their actions? Is it ever right to suspend individual rights to protect the majority? What measures should be put in place to protect people from the threat of terrorism? What do you think of current anti-terrorist measures? National Curriculum Links : KS4 Citizenship Programme of Study: 1a, 2b, 2c, 3a Activity: Threats to Society Introduction : In this activity, students will consider what measures they think are justifiable to protect the UK against the threat of terrorism. On the activity sheet there is a list of measures that they have to decide whether to implement if they were Prime Minister. The instructions for the activity appear on the sheet. This exercise could work well as an individual task or as pair/group work. This activity would also work very well as a sorting exercise. Students will need an explanation of key terms ‘detain’, ‘electronic tag’ ‘curfew’ before starting the activity. In Salem, the perceived threat to the community was witchcraft. A court was set up by the authorities to deal with this threat and ultimately 19 people were found guilty and hanged. With the benefit of hindsight it is easy for us to say that the community and the authorities overreacted to the threat. In this activity you are going to consider the reaction of our current government to a threat of terrorism. Since the devastating events of 11 September 2001 the authorities in the UK have been working to minimise the risk of a terrorist attack. Some experts in the area have said that the UK. is a potential target for terrorists. Instructions In this activity you are going to decide how you would respond to the threat of terrorism in this country by putting yourself in the position of Prime Minister. Consider each statement (See the table in the attachment below) and decide whether you would take this step or not (there is a maybe option, but don’t forget that as a Prime Minister you need to be decisive). When making your decision, remember how devastating a terrorist attack would be and that you will be held responsible for any bad judgements you make. | 
