Page 40 - Šolsko polje, XXIX, 2018, no. 5-6: Radicalization, Violent Extremism and Conflicting Diversity, eds. Mitja Sardoč and Tomaž Deželan
P. 40
šolsko polje, letnik xxix, številka 5–6
Similar to the historical events which give legitimacy, it also raises the rep-
utational status of the extremist groups in that the values and behaviors
have been propagated broadly in popular media and that the act of vio-
lence created the intended result. Ironically, the news-worthiness of com-
batting terrorism, further legitimizes those groups that turn to terrorist
actions given the viral nature of terrorist activities and events. For the in-
dividual who may yearn of having a place or an identity, there is the poten-
tial to create a romanticized excitement at the prospect of gaining notorie-
ty, particularly if that individual has felt isolated, marginalized, or on the
peripheries of communities.
At an individual level, the potential to create a convert requires to
some extent a particular narrowing of one’s affiliations and identity to the
one group to the exclusion of others. It creates a sense of affiliation of be-
longing, a purpose, particularly if those individuals have been isolated or
pushed to the peripheries of society. It creates a form of legitimacy for their
frustrations or worldviews that are exclusive to the group. Capitalizing
on an individual’s disenfranchisement is critical to becoming radicalized.
One’s own dissatisfaction, frustration, isolation, inequalities, discrimi-
nation or racism, and relative deprivation, is commonly a catalyst for in-
dividual who become more radicalized (Toolis, 1995, Richardson, 2007;
Sageman, 2008). Youths who are the most susceptible to radical messag-
ing are those who perceive themselves to be politically, economically or so-
cially marginalized, resulting in a pervasive sense of purposelessness and
lack of hope for the future. It is not solely poor socio-economic status that
results in susceptibility, but rather a sense of relative deprivation, coupled
with feelings of political and/or social exclusion that makes youth suscep-
tible to the radicalization process. This process entails drawing upon the
affective emotions and for the group to create a more compelling affilia-
tion to them than to any alternative affiliations that may include family,
friends, schools, communities and other forms of affiliation or belonging.
As such, one’s existing social relations, bonds, and ties, are all but substan-
tively severed in favor of this one particular group to the exclusion of any
others. This process creates a new form of socialization where secrecy and
trust creates a heightened sense of self, of being an insider, and concom-
itantly attempts to sever any alternative groups that may provide an al-
ternative worldview. The attempt then is to instill increased apathy and
disillusionment with the outside world, with an unbreakable pact with
those within the extremist group. In so doing, it lessens one’s own individ-
ual identity to a more collective solidarity and unity, which in some cas-
es can sacrifice the self to a greater cause espoused by the group. “Secrecy
and trust, the intersection between group charism and stigmatization and
38
Similar to the historical events which give legitimacy, it also raises the rep-
utational status of the extremist groups in that the values and behaviors
have been propagated broadly in popular media and that the act of vio-
lence created the intended result. Ironically, the news-worthiness of com-
batting terrorism, further legitimizes those groups that turn to terrorist
actions given the viral nature of terrorist activities and events. For the in-
dividual who may yearn of having a place or an identity, there is the poten-
tial to create a romanticized excitement at the prospect of gaining notorie-
ty, particularly if that individual has felt isolated, marginalized, or on the
peripheries of communities.
At an individual level, the potential to create a convert requires to
some extent a particular narrowing of one’s affiliations and identity to the
one group to the exclusion of others. It creates a sense of affiliation of be-
longing, a purpose, particularly if those individuals have been isolated or
pushed to the peripheries of society. It creates a form of legitimacy for their
frustrations or worldviews that are exclusive to the group. Capitalizing
on an individual’s disenfranchisement is critical to becoming radicalized.
One’s own dissatisfaction, frustration, isolation, inequalities, discrimi-
nation or racism, and relative deprivation, is commonly a catalyst for in-
dividual who become more radicalized (Toolis, 1995, Richardson, 2007;
Sageman, 2008). Youths who are the most susceptible to radical messag-
ing are those who perceive themselves to be politically, economically or so-
cially marginalized, resulting in a pervasive sense of purposelessness and
lack of hope for the future. It is not solely poor socio-economic status that
results in susceptibility, but rather a sense of relative deprivation, coupled
with feelings of political and/or social exclusion that makes youth suscep-
tible to the radicalization process. This process entails drawing upon the
affective emotions and for the group to create a more compelling affilia-
tion to them than to any alternative affiliations that may include family,
friends, schools, communities and other forms of affiliation or belonging.
As such, one’s existing social relations, bonds, and ties, are all but substan-
tively severed in favor of this one particular group to the exclusion of any
others. This process creates a new form of socialization where secrecy and
trust creates a heightened sense of self, of being an insider, and concom-
itantly attempts to sever any alternative groups that may provide an al-
ternative worldview. The attempt then is to instill increased apathy and
disillusionment with the outside world, with an unbreakable pact with
those within the extremist group. In so doing, it lessens one’s own individ-
ual identity to a more collective solidarity and unity, which in some cas-
es can sacrifice the self to a greater cause espoused by the group. “Secrecy
and trust, the intersection between group charism and stigmatization and
38
