Jamie Bartlett
Researcher
Jamie joined Demos in February, 2007. His primary research interests lie in international development, public services, and Islam.
at 6:16pm on Wednesday, 5th March 2008
I have written a short think piece which questions some of the assumptions about our understanding of "Islamic" violent extremism.
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.
You can download the piece by clicking here
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.
You can download the piece by clicking here
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Comments
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.
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.