Wicked Jihad?
by Jamie Bartlett
Counter terrorism policy in Western Europe is increasinly about preventing violent extremism before it arises, by lessening the appeal of groups like al-Qaeda.
But we are still a long way from understanding what that appeal is. Most work written on the subject attributes the rise of violent extremism to broad sructural factors such as foriegn policy, societal discrimination, and a lack of local leadership.
While important, this tends to ignore another vital aspect: that for some young people, al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda inspired groups are glamourous and exciting. The appeal of such movements needs to be placed within a far deeper sociological and psychological understanding of why violent action of any type can be an attractive means of action.
I propose three other explanations which help to understand the appeal of violent extremism, which are often overlooked:
- it offers a sense of adventure
- it gives a sense of personal agency
- it wins street credibility
This has important implications for the way authorities pursue counter radicalisation policy.
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Philip Conway
The psychology of extremism is certainly something that is woefully under-represented in the press and popular discourse generally. There is an amazing depth of research on sociopathy and anti-social, violent behaviour, which current political debate wholly ignores. It is easy to dismiss such people as evil and 'beyond the pale' but this attitude really isn't at all useful in addressing the root causes of such behaviour. Extremism is a very old phenomenon, yet there is strikingly little political or public willingness to better understand it. The departmentalisation of academia doesn't help this. Social scientists need to take better notice of what is happening in the behavioural sciences.
Toby Archer
It's great to see this argument, as it should be one of those "well, Duh!" moments when someone states the incredibly obvious, yet still it isn't. Counter-terrorism commentators, researchers and students get all mixed up in, say, the relative importance to Qutbist Egyptian political Islamism versus Saudi-based Wahhabi fundamentalism (I know, I've been there), and totally miss the hip-hop. In 1991(?) when Ice T released Cop Killer, there was discussion about gansta rap being a threat to national security, and with the LA riots of 1992 it didn't seem to much of leap. Partly as a result - rap, particularly it's not very "conscious" West Coast form, went global as the guaranteed-to-scare-your-mum teenage rebellion of choice. Compare it to UK indie of the same era - that might have vaguely embarrassed your mum but no more. It would seem obvious that "jihadi-chic" is now going to have the same sub-cultural pull on young men in Western Europe now. But the danger is always there that if the aesthetic is the attraction, some with darker intentions will exploit the young and stupid, just like some of those who listened to Snoop Dog and Ice Cube even in the suburbs really decided to live the gansta-life and stick a gun in the back of their baggy jeans and sell drugs.Trying to react appropriately to genuine security threats whilst not over-reacting to youthful posturing (and by doing so actually beginning to really marginalize and perhaps radicalize) is the policy puzzle to solve.
Jamie Bartlett
I think you are right Toby about this tricky policy puzzle: especially seeing as many of these groups actually seem to thrive on the notoriety you get when considered dangerous by the authorities. Trying learn about this sub-culture to understand the difference - and drawing on a much broader raft of disciplines and experiences in the way Phillip suggests - is much needed and something I am planning to do some work around. So watch this space. Interestingly this week's edition of Time Magazine looks at the 10 trends shaping the world, and "reverse radicalism", much along the lines I suggest, comes in at number 4...well worth a look.
Philip Conway
There is a very interesting interview at this address (http://www.socialpsychologyarena.com/resources/podcasts.asp) on this very subject with an academic called Peter Herriot. He talks a lot of well justified sense that is pleasingly in accordance with the thinking in this article.
Ivan Idea
I'm not sure flying a plane into towers looks particularly adventurous to anyone - agency or not - neither for that matter does driving a jeep into an airport then dousing yourself in petrol and setting yourself on fire; although I'm sure they are all appreciating all the street cred they have.