The Radicalization Puzzle: A Theoretical Synthesis of Empirical Approaches to Homegrown Extremism

Why and how do individuals residing in relatively peaceful and affluent Western societies come to embrace extremist ideologies that emanate from distant places? We summarize the most recent empirical literature on the causes and dynamics of radicalization, and evaluate the state of the art in the st...

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Published inStudies in conflict and terrorism Vol. 38; no. 11; pp. 958 - 975
Main Authors Hafez, Mohammed, Mullins, Creighton
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington Routledge 02.11.2015
Taylor & Francis LLC
Subjects
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ISSN1057-610X
1521-0731
DOI10.1080/1057610X.2015.1051375

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Abstract Why and how do individuals residing in relatively peaceful and affluent Western societies come to embrace extremist ideologies that emanate from distant places? We summarize the most recent empirical literature on the causes and dynamics of radicalization, and evaluate the state of the art in the study of Islamist homegrown extremism in the West. We propose a theoretical synthesis based on four factors that come together to produce violent radicalization: personal and collective grievances, networks and interpersonal ties, political and religious ideologies, and enabling environments and support structures. We propose adopting a "puzzle" metaphor that represents a multifactor and contextualized approach to understanding how ordinary individuals transform into violent extremists. We concluded with three recommendations to strengthen the empirical foundations of radicalization studies.
AbstractList Why and how do individuals residing in relatively peaceful and affluent Western societies come to embrace extremist ideologies that emanate from distant places? We summarize the most recent empirical literature on the causes and dynamics of radicalization, and evaluate the state of the art in the study of Islamist homegrown extremism in the West. We propose a theoretical synthesis based on four factors that come together to produce violent radicalization: personal and collective grievances, networks and interpersonal ties, political and religious ideologies, and enabling environments and support structures. We propose adopting a "puzzle" metaphor that represents a multifactor and contextualized approach to understanding how ordinary individuals transform into violent extremists. We concluded with three recommendations to strengthen the empirical foundations of radicalization studies.
Why and how do individuals residing in relatively peaceful and affluent Western societies come to embrace extremist ideologies that emanate from distant places? We summarize the most recent empirical literature on the causes and dynamics of radicalization, and evaluate the state of the art in the study of Islamist homegrown extremism in the West. We propose a theoretical synthesis based on four factors that come together to produce violent radicalization: personal and collective grievances, networks and interpersonal ties, political and religious ideologies, and enabling environments and support structures. We propose adopting a 'puzzle' metaphor that represents a multifactor and contextualized approach to understanding how ordinary individuals transform into violent extremists. We concluded with three recommendations to strengthen the empirical foundations of radicalization studies. Reprinted by permission of Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Author Hafez, Mohammed
Mullins, Creighton
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  givenname: Creighton
  surname: Mullins
  fullname: Mullins, Creighton
  organization: Department of National Security AffairsNaval Postgraduate School
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SubjectTerms Affluent societies
Complaints
Empirical research
Extremism
Extremists
Ideology
Influence
Islam
Islamism
Metaphor
Networks
Political violence
Politics and government
Radical groups
Radicalism
Radicalization
Religion
Violence
Title The Radicalization Puzzle: A Theoretical Synthesis of Empirical Approaches to Homegrown Extremism
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