The radicalization puzzle: a theoretical synthesis of empirical approaches to homegrown extremism
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Authors
Hafez, Mohammed
Mullins, Creighton
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2015
Date
Publisher
Routledge; Taylor & Francis
Language
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.
Type
Article
Description
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2015.1051375
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
18 p.
Citation
Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, v. 38, 2015, pp. 958-975
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.