How are Small Groups Radicalized to use Terrorism as a Tactic?

How can interaction of like-minded people make them more extreme? Imagine you got together with some friends for dinner, and in the course of the evening a politically charged topic came up— implementing prayer in school or making abortion illegal, for example. Because you are...

What is Terrorism and who Becomes a Terrorist?

What kind of violence is called terrorism? There is no one accepted definition of terrorism. There is, however, a general agreement among government definitions that terrorism is either violence or a threat of violence whose purpose is to coerce a government or citizens. Another common...

What are Mass Identity Manipulations (MIMS)—Pictures, Songs/Chants, Rumors, Rituals, and Symbols?

What is a mass identity? Imagine having to complete 10 statements that start “I am . . .”. Your responses would likely span your individual identity (student, welder), your group identity (mother, union member), and your mass identity (American, Catholic). These identities define many of...

Is it Possible to Prevent Radicalization to Terrorism?

What if we just jailed every ISIS sympathizer? How many ISIS sympathizers are there? A 2017 internet poll of about 200 US Muslims asked two questions about ISIS:1 “Overall, do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the Islamic State of Iraq and...

Are Suicide Bombers Suicidal?

Answering this question requires knowing a little about suicide.

What is Radicalization?

Who are we to talk about radicalization and terrorism? In recent years, terrorism and radicalization have (unfortunately) become something of a regular topic in the news, in movies and TV shows, and even in dinnertime conversations. It seems like everyone knows something and has a...

Conclusion

What is wrong with radicalization and extremism? Radicalization is change in beliefs, feelings, or actions toward increased support for one side of an intergroup conflict. Extremism refers to beliefs, feelings, or actions that go against the political status quo. What is wrong...

Is Mass Radicalization a Problem in the United States?

Is there mass radicalization in the United States today? Yes. When we published Friction in 2011, the book’s subtitle, “How Conflict Radicalizes Them and Us” was itself radical.1 Our idea was that not only the bad guys, the terrorists, but also...

Is It Possible to Deradicalize Terrorists?

What is the difference between deradicalization and desistence? Many assume that deradicalization requires giving up both radical political ideas and radical action. In particular, it is often assumed that giving up radical ideas is the only or best pathway to giving up terrorist violence. This...

What is Different About Lone Wolf Terrorists?

Who is a lone wolf terrorist? Sometimes called a lone actor terrorist, a lone wolf terrorist acts alone, without support from a terrorist group or organization. Modern use of the term goes back to Tom Metzger, founder of the White Aryan Resistance, who argued in...