Radicalisation

Radicalisation Theory No profile or single pathway in or out Debate has been politicised between left and right resulting in inconsistency and polarisation Academia often fails to abandon old models when dealing with ideological extremism There are different levels of radicalisation in terms of commitment to cause and adoption of strategy Early indicators include: cultural isolation, period of hedonistic behaviour, family conflict, lack of religious observance and negative peer influences

Radicalization Push and Pull factors Identity – dual-marginalisation and identity crisis Grievances – alienation/dislocation, perceptions of social and political concerns Enabling group – active recruiters and propaganda Ideology – simplistic and self-serving solutions for complex social & geo-political concerns

The Islamist narrative Muslims and the West are at war Western Capitalism is the root cause of Muslim suffering and must be attacked intellectually and physically Muslim-majority states are ruled by despotic western backed puppets and thus must be overthrown and replaced with Islamist rule The West is actively engaged to trying to prevent the emergence of the future Islamist state and seeks to continue exploiting and humiliating Muslims

Recruits Ideologues vs. Foot-soldiers Most are recruited whilst studying at FE colleges and Universities, often those studying hard sciences Recruits rarely have a complex understanding of politics or theology beforehand Strong desire to ‘belong’ to a cause and a group Often come from families where bond with parents is weak and lack positive role models

Tactics Increase the role of the internet as a recruitment tool for self-radicalisation & instruction Seek to provide more English language materials in order to recruit high-value targets in western countries Aim to recruit via shock tactics to induce moral outrage, followed by explanatory narrative Promote ‘individual’ Jihad which: - requires less expertise and planning - is harder to detect - easier to recruit for ● Encourage recruits to carry out spectacular attacks in order to maximise propaganda value