Violent Extremism

The Net

violent extremist and terrorist groups disseminate undifferentiated propaganda to a target population deemed homogeneous and receptive to the propaganda

The funnel

an incremental approach, to target specific individuals considered ready for recruitment, using psychological techniques to increase commitment and dedication

Infection

the target population is difficult to reach, an agent can be inserted to pursue recruitment from within

UNODC’s five primary drivers to VE

1. lack of socio-economic opportunities

2. marginalization and discrimination

3. poor governance, violations of human rights and the rule of law

4. prolonged and unresolved conflicts

5. radicalization in prisons

group polarization

the average opinion of group members tend to become more extreme as they attempt to negotiate consensus

the multiplier

when groups are isolated and experiencing conditions of threat, their levels of cohesiveness and perceived interdependence increase, which enhances member compliance

outbidding

inter-group competition as more radical groups are perceived as more committed, making them more attractive to potential members and supporters

condensation

pressures of state opposition cause less-committed members to drop out, leaving only the most active members and causing the intensification of radicalism and commitment

fissioning

groups break apart and compete with each other causing both to escalate

7 stages of conversion theory

1. context: environmental factors

2. crisis: personal or social disruption

3. quest: seeking solutions

4. encounter: initial contact between a seeker and a proponent of a spiritual option

5. interaction: between seeker and proponent to gain more information about the spiritual option

6. commitment: a decision demonstrating investment in the religion and a promised bond of membership as a part of the movement

7. consequences: the effects of the actions made in service of the belief

conversion theory

theory focused on the individual process of transforming beliefs and ideologies, or religious conversion

FBI’s 4 conversion types

• jilted believers: internal frustration with current religious faith leads individual to change belief system

• faith reinterpretation: individual alters his religious tradition

• protest conversion: individual feels deprived so they change faith

• acceptance seeking: driven by an individual’s need to have interpersonal relationships

Venhaus typologies

• revenge seeker: seeks an outlet to discharge frustration and anger at a person, group, or entity

• status seeker: seeks recognition and esteem from others

• identity seeker: seeks belonging, meaning, and identity

• thrill seeker: seeks excitement, adventure, and glory

McCauley and Mosalenko’s individual mechanisms of radicalization

• individual radicalization through personal grievance

• individual radicalization through political grievance

• individual radicalization in action - the slippery slope: follows a progression of subversive behaviours

• individual radicalization in action - the power of love: initially engages because of social or emotional bonds to its members

• individual radicalization in status and thrill seeking: lured into radical group, expecting status, power, and/or adventure

• individual opening to radicalization: unfreezing: person experiences a destabilizing life event that removes social/lifestyle barriers to radicalized activity

Baumeister’s 4 roots of evil

• belief that one’s own side is good and the other side is evil

• desire for revenge over injustices and humiliations

• greed, lust, ambition, and other forms of self-interest

• sadism

Sternberg’s Duplex Theory of Hate components

• negation of intimacy (distancing) in hate: repulsion and disgust

• passion in hate: anger/fear

• decision - commitment in hate: devaluation-diminution through contempt

radicalization

The complex process by which individuals adopt violent extremist ideologies that may lead them to commit terrorist acts, or which are likely to render them more vulnerable to recruitment

3 recruitment approach types

The Net, The Funnel, and Infection

Early research on terrorism focused on what kind of explanation for terrorism?

clinical explanations

Social Psychological theories

groups tend to lead to more radicalization because group opinions tend to be more extreme than those held by its individual members, group decision-making is often more biased, individuals feel less responsible for group actions, and people join groups because of perceived incentives

social movement theory

aims to explain how individuals are drawn into terrorism through rational processes

Rambo’s Conversion Theory Model

• context

• crisis

• quest

• encounter

• interaction

• commitment

• consequences

FBI conversion types

• jilted believers

• faith reinterpretation

• protest conversion

• acceptance seeking

Venhaus conversion types

• the revenge seeker

• the status seeker

• the identity seeker

• the thrill seeker

What did Amy Mack study?

the far-right and ideological extremism and community responses to radicalization

2022 Freedom Convoy

massive in-person protests in Ottawa, leading to several arrests and frozen bank accounts, a massive social media presence, and record-breaking fundraising

Coutts Border Blockade

blockade between Coutts, Alberta and Sweetgrass, Montana, resulting in a +$200 million economic hit, 14 arrests, and a part of the justification for the Emergencies Act

The movement to save the “Coutts Boys”

Facebook groups with thousands of members, fundraisers that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and gained accusations of fraud, and podcasts and livestreams

Coutts Border Blockade Anniversary Tour

social media based organizing

push factors

structural conditions: inequality, marginalization, poor governance, etc

pull factors

individual motivations: identity, ideology, belonging, etc

UN’s 5 drivers

1. lack of socio-economic opportunities

2. marginalization and discrimination

3. poor governance, violations of human rights and the rule of law

4. prolonged and unresolved conflicts

5. radicalization in prisons

what undermines economic causality of terrorism

many extremists are educated and employed

prevention must include what two elements?

prevention must address root causes and promote human rights