Abstract:
The concept of ‘radicalisation’ became especially important within both research and counter-terrorism practice after 11 September 2001. In the aftermath of these attacks, radicalization was generally understood as a process through which an individual became ready to support, or carry out, acts of terrorism. This article outlines these early post-9/11 understandings of radicalization, a few of the counter-terrorism practices they became the foundation of, and considers these understandings and practices in light of recent trends. In particular, ever more very young people with often unclear ideological motivations are now getting attention from counter-terrorism authorities. The role played by cognitive and ideological radicalization in terrorism involvement are becoming increasingly uncertain. Given the centrality of thinking and attitudes to common understandings of radicalization, and the unclear roles of these domains in terrorism involvement, there seems reasons to question the future of the concept of radicalisation as an explanation of terrorism, and as a foundation of counter terrorism practices. The examples of the articles looks primarily to the UK – often considered a forerunner on the counter terrorism field.
Read the full article in the Norwegian journal Internasjonal Politikk, 84(1) [link].