Terrorism, Radicalization, Strategy 

The United Nations in its most recent resolutions has shown general appreciation that there is need to reach beyond security measures for more holistic approaches to preventing people from being drawn towards and into groups advocating and using violence. But the individual and multifaceted nature of the processes involved makes it difficult to determine common patterns and responses that work. That said, a review of the various policies and frameworks put into use by western countries show some convergence around an understanding that radicalization is a multidimensional process (not a direct “conveyer belt”) and that the term extremism needs to encompass political, ideological and religious perspectives that oppose (moderate, mainstream) norms and values. It needs to recognize that the vast majority of people in any one setting are likely to be affected by similar macro-level grievances and frustrations but do not act on them by resorting to violence. For individual reasons, a smaller group is, however, susceptible to extremist narratives and therefore can be considered at-risk of recruitment. Even amongst these, however, not all will resort to violence. Some sources note that the link between extremist beliefs and the propensity to use violence is contentious, arguing that the former does not necessarily imply the latter and that the decisions relating to the use of violence will depend upon a range of push and pull factors unique to the individual. Conversely, there have been cases where individuals with a criminal violence background have been radicalized and used extremist religious narratives as part of their justification for subsequent acts of violent extremism.  

110 p.; illus.; 28 cm