When responding to general terrorism many believe it is best to increase security. Some would even go so far as to say that we should give up our freedoms for more safety. But sacrificing freedoms for security is one of the worst solutions to this controversial problem.

This month, seven attacks were executed practically simultaneously leaving 130 innocent people dead. These deaths were a result of the recent attacks on Paris France, or more generally, the western world. On November 13th 2015, the attackers, who were associated with the terrorist group ISIS, assaulted half a dozen different locations, taking hostages, wounding children, and killing civilians. In light of these recent attacks many are left wondering if western countries such as France should sacrifice their freedoms for security.

In response to the terrorism that took place in Paris, France immediately took steps to tighten security within the country. Within just a few days, part of France’s parliament voted on a multiple month extension to the country’s “state of emergency.” This state of emergency allows France’s security forces extended powers, giving them the ability to carry out warrantless searches, immediately issue house arrest, and copy and view private phones and computers when confronting potential suspects. While this may seem a bit harsh, some believe that these actions are necessary for the safety of the country. They believe that tightened security will discourage future attacks, and that sacrificing freedoms for safety is essential for creating a better, protected state.

However, taking away from the people’s freedoms and giving more control to the government is a poor solution to the issue at hand. By eliminating a country’s freedoms and tightening security western countries such as france are not discouraging future attacks. In fact, terrorists see this as a victory; when the people they are targeting are so afraid of being attacked that they are willing to sacrifice part of what their country stands for (Freedom) just for protection. Tightening security also doesn’t necessarily guarantee that a nation will be completely safe from all future attacks. Even if ISIS or other radical groups fail a thousand times, those groups a bound to succeed at least once. By giving up freedom for security, western nations are giving terrorists an ideological victory for safety that isn’t even guaranteed.

It is important to realize that, even in the wake of such tragic attacks, we should not trade freedom for security. Although it may create a sense of safety, the reality is much different: a victory for the terrorists and a false sense of security. Western countries should value their freedom above anything else, even in tragic times.