La globalización del miedo

An important feature of the current globalization process is that fear hunts the inhabitants of the global village with more intensity each day. The growth of terrorism, environmental threats, risks associated to the development of new technologies, and, indeed, an atmosphere of uncertainty that characterizes contemporary life, produces an increasing propagation of fear. In this article we will first examine the reasons for which the current society is so vulnerable to fear—specially the one derived from terrorism. Then, we will see how the mass media increases this vulnerability. Finally, we will show in which way it can be said that today we are attending the appearance of a global society in state of permanent fear.