Page 41 - Šolsko polje, XXIX, 2018, no. 5-6: Radicalization, Violent Extremism and Conflicting Diversity, eds. Mitja Sardoč and Tomaž Deželan
P. 41
d. gereluk and c.-a. titus ■ how schools can reduce youth radicalization
minorities of the best and worst are integral to group cohesion, recruit-
ment and retention processes” (Vertigans, 2011: p. 110). Finally, as part of
their greater affiliation to one extremist view propagated by a group, there
is often a corollary weakening of moral obligations that reduce the inhi-
bitions of an individual to think about, and potentially carry out, acts
of violence. Ensuring that the valor of the collective memory and agency
takes precedence over the individual wellbeing of citizens is paramount
to the extremist position that is inculcated by the group on the particu-
lar individual.
Radicalization and mobilization to violence are distinct but often
intertwined processes. Mobilization is the process by which a radicalized
individual moves from extremist intent, to preparing for an act of terror,
travel to join a terrorist entity and/or facilitating the terrorist activity of
someone else (CSIS, 2018). While terrorist attacks may be difficult to an-
ticipate, indicators are often present. Analysis conducted by the Canadian
Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) found that the speed of mobilization
to violence takes an average of twelve (12) months, but that youth mobi-
lize to violence more quickly than adults and that they tend to mobilize
in groups. Young adults and minors generally have fewer obstacles to over-
come in their process of mobilization and by mobilizing in groups. They
can overcome any existing obstacles quickly by pooling resources and ex-
pertise allowing them to engage in terrorist activities. For example, “a per-
son may give money to another member of the group and share items such
as luggage or cell phones” (CSIS, 2018). Of note, however, are the find-
ings that many extremist mobilizers demonstrate behaviours that they are
mobilizing to those around them. In other words, youth mobilizers will
demonstrate observable ‘leakage’, which puts bystanders (friends, family,
educators) in a position to identify their impending mobilization to vio-
lence (CSIS, 2018). According to the research conducted by CSIS, howev-
er, it is often more difficult to spot indicators of mobilization to violence
in groups than by individuals alone.
The nature of radicalizing youth, and subsequent possible mobiliza-
tion, is thus a progression of increasing extremist views that narrows one’s
own outlook on the world that is aligned with the extremist views, and
gives legitimacy and potentially valour to the individual who may yearn
for creating such an identity and persona. There is a valorization of playing
a role in the greater cause, built upon the historical legacy, rhetoric, and
broader public discourse on extremism and terrorism that may fuel great-
er polarization toward a view of one absolute truth to the neglect of any
others. Self-radicalization does not exist. While radicalization is an indi-
vidualized process, it is influenced both by factors (such as peer pressure,
39
minorities of the best and worst are integral to group cohesion, recruit-
ment and retention processes” (Vertigans, 2011: p. 110). Finally, as part of
their greater affiliation to one extremist view propagated by a group, there
is often a corollary weakening of moral obligations that reduce the inhi-
bitions of an individual to think about, and potentially carry out, acts
of violence. Ensuring that the valor of the collective memory and agency
takes precedence over the individual wellbeing of citizens is paramount
to the extremist position that is inculcated by the group on the particu-
lar individual.
Radicalization and mobilization to violence are distinct but often
intertwined processes. Mobilization is the process by which a radicalized
individual moves from extremist intent, to preparing for an act of terror,
travel to join a terrorist entity and/or facilitating the terrorist activity of
someone else (CSIS, 2018). While terrorist attacks may be difficult to an-
ticipate, indicators are often present. Analysis conducted by the Canadian
Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) found that the speed of mobilization
to violence takes an average of twelve (12) months, but that youth mobi-
lize to violence more quickly than adults and that they tend to mobilize
in groups. Young adults and minors generally have fewer obstacles to over-
come in their process of mobilization and by mobilizing in groups. They
can overcome any existing obstacles quickly by pooling resources and ex-
pertise allowing them to engage in terrorist activities. For example, “a per-
son may give money to another member of the group and share items such
as luggage or cell phones” (CSIS, 2018). Of note, however, are the find-
ings that many extremist mobilizers demonstrate behaviours that they are
mobilizing to those around them. In other words, youth mobilizers will
demonstrate observable ‘leakage’, which puts bystanders (friends, family,
educators) in a position to identify their impending mobilization to vio-
lence (CSIS, 2018). According to the research conducted by CSIS, howev-
er, it is often more difficult to spot indicators of mobilization to violence
in groups than by individuals alone.
The nature of radicalizing youth, and subsequent possible mobiliza-
tion, is thus a progression of increasing extremist views that narrows one’s
own outlook on the world that is aligned with the extremist views, and
gives legitimacy and potentially valour to the individual who may yearn
for creating such an identity and persona. There is a valorization of playing
a role in the greater cause, built upon the historical legacy, rhetoric, and
broader public discourse on extremism and terrorism that may fuel great-
er polarization toward a view of one absolute truth to the neglect of any
others. Self-radicalization does not exist. While radicalization is an indi-
vidualized process, it is influenced both by factors (such as peer pressure,
39
