Radicalisation, De-Radicalisation, Counter-Radicalisation: A Conceptual Discussion and Literature Review

A large international sample was used to test whether hedonia (the experience of positive emotional states and satisfaction of desires) and eudaimonia (the presence of meaning and development of one's potentials) represent 1 overarching well-being construct or 2 related dimensions. A latent correlation of .96 presents negligible evidence for the discriminant validity between Diener's (1984) subjective well-being model of hedonia and Ryff's (1989) psychological well-being model of eudaimonia. When compared with known correlates of well-being (e.g., curiosity, gratitude), eudaimonia and hedonia showed very similar relationships, save goal-directed will and ways (i.e., hope), a meaning orientation to happiness, and grit. Identical analyses in subsamples of 7 geographical world regions revealed similar results around the globe. A single overarching construct more accurately reflects hedonia and eudaimonia when measured as self-reported subjective and psychological well-being. Nevertheless, measures of eudaimonia may contain aspects of meaningful goal-directedness unique from hedonia. (PsycINFO Database Record

http://fallongoodman.com/uploads/3/4/1/2/3412125/disabato_goodman_kashdan_short__jarden_in_press._different_types_of_well-being_a_cross-cultural_examination_of_hedonic_and_eudaimonic_well-being._psychological_assessment.pdf

Different types of well-being? A cross-cultural examination of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being.

1. Political violence and social movements: an introduction 2. Escalating policing 3. Competitive escalation during protest cycles 4. The activation of militant networks 5. Organizational compartmentalization 6. Action militarization 7. Ideological encapsulation 8. Militant enclosure 9. Leaving clandestinity? Reversing mechanisms of engagement 10. Clandestine political violence: some conclusions.

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Clandestine Political Violence

The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the scholarly literature on the process(es) of radicalisation, particularly among young people, and the availability of interventions to prevent extremism. The review was undertaken to inform the national evaluation of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales’ (YJB) preventing violent extremism programmes within the youth justice system, and as such, represents one of the research outputs from that study. The full evaluation report, Process Evaluation of Preventing Violent Extremism Programmes for Young People, is to be published by the YJB alongside this review.
The review found that the evidence base for effective preventing violent extremism interventions is very limited. Despite a prolific output of research, few studies contained empirical data or systematic data analysis. Furthermore, although a growing body of literature investigating the radicalisation process is emerging, the weight of that literature is focused upon terrorism rather than radicalisation. As such, the evidence is concerned with that smaller cohort of individuals who, once radicalised, go on to commit acts of violence in the pursuit of political or religious aims and objectives. This introduces a systematic bias in the literature, away from the radicalisation process that preceeds terrorism, including radicalisation that does not lead to violence.
Despite these limitations, the systematic review found that Islamic radicalisation and terrorism emanate from a very heterogeneous population that varies markedly in terms of education, family background, socio-economic status and income. Several studies have identified potential risk factors for radicalisation, and, among these, political grievances (notably reaction to Western foreign policy) have a prominent role.
The review found only two evaluated UK programmes that explicitly aimed to address Islamic radicalisation in the UK. These were outreach and engagement projects running in London: the Muslim Contact Unit (MCU) and the ‘Street’ Project. In addition, the review drew heavily upon the Department for Communities and Local Government’s (DCLG) rapid evidence assessment, Preventing Support for Violent Extremism through Community Interventions: A Review of the Evidence (Pratchett et al, 2010). This advocated the adoption of capacity building and empowering young people, and interventions that “challenge ideology that focus on theology and use education/training”. The Netherlands-based Slotervaart Project was identified as an exemplar of the outreach/community-based approach recommended by the DCLG review. The review also considered a number of de-radicalisation programmes operating in several Islamic countries and programmes tackling right-wing radicalisation. These programmes provide some potential learning points for future UK programmes, chiefly around the need for those engaging with radicalised individuals to carry authority and legitimacy, and to be equipped with profound ideological knowledge.

Preventing Religious Radicalisation and Violent Extremism: A Systematic Review of the Research Evidence

This article explores psychological factors involved in terrorism and counter-terrorism on individual, group, and organizational levels of analysis. On the individual level, we describe attempts to understand terrorist behavior as a form of psychopathology and/or as reflecting a unique constellation of personality traits. We also consider whether there exists a general motivational basis for participating in terrorism. On the group level of analysis, we address the process of shared reality construction, social influence involved in recruitment of new members to terrorist organization, their indoctrination into terrorist ideology, and the use of language in creating terrorism warranting norms. On the organizational level, we consider issues of training, logistics, and cost effectiveness as they apply to the decisions to launch or abstain from terrorist activities. We conclude by considering the implications of our analysis for possible ways and means for countering terrorism.

https://terpconnect.umd.edu/~hannahk/Terrorism_files/PsychologicalFactors.pdf

Psychological factors in terrorism and counterterrorism: Individual, group, and organizational levels of analysis.

There is an increased interest in Islam in the field of international relations. This paper seeks to offer an overview to the basis of inter-state relations between a Muslim polity and other Muslim or non-Muslim polities. It presents three possible options that can be the basis of international relations for an Islamic polity: war, peace and neutrality. Three important sciences, known as popularly Usul Fiqh, Usul Tafsir and Usul Hadith, which make up the core of Islamic hermeneutic, are used. The paper goes on to argue that peace is the original basis and rejects the idea of perpetual war between Islamic and non-Islamic polity as espoused by jihadist groups. ********************* Muhammad Haniff Bin Hassan is a PhD Research Student at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). He holds MSc in Strategic Studies at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University. He received his early education from Aljunied Islamic School. He then continued his tertiary education at the Faculty of Islamic Studies, National University of Malaysia with honours in Syariah and Civil law. Mr. Haniff is also active in social activities as a member of the Islamic Religious Council Appeal Board, HSBC Insurance Islamic Advisory Board, Council for Association of Islamic Religious Teachers and Scholars of Singapore (PERGAS) and Management Committee of Al-Irsyad Islamic School. He writes extensively in Berita Harian (local Malay newspaper) and has also published articles in the Straits Times. He has published five books in his name and helped to publish two books on behalf of PERGAS and Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. His latest book is Unlicensed to Kill: Countering Imam Samudra’s Justification For the Bali Bombing (2006).

/pdf/war-peace-or-neutrality-an-overview-of-islamic-polity-s-2okbju4h3d.pdf

War, peace or neutrality : an overview of Islamic polity's basis of inter-state relations

This study attempts to highlight the importance of counterideological work in combating terrorism and the key considerations in implementing it effectively. The study proposes one important approach for counterideology, suggests partners, and highlights pitfalls. It also addresses the link between grievances and counterideology, and the role of non-Muslims in counterideology. The study does not provide a comprehensive perspective on counterideological work but provides the framework within which counterideological work against Muslim terrorist groups may be flushed out.

Key considerations in counter-ideological work against terrorist ideology.

Explaining Islam's Special Position and the Politic of Islam in Malaysia

The article examines alternative strategies to combating the scourge of terrorism beyond military approaches. There is now more realization, especially after the difficulties experienced in Iraq today, that an innovative multi-pronged mix of methods is needed to combat international terrorism. The paper looks at an ideological response towards combating terrorism by looking at the Singapore experience. The Singapore government recognizes the importance of an ideological response as an integral part of counterterrorism measures. Terrorism occurs when opportunity, motivation and capability meet. The prevention of terrorism requires the elimination of at least one of these three factors- motivation- often driven by ideology. The paper will look at direct and indirect initiatives undertaken in Singapore to combat terrorism and will also look at the Muslim community in Singapore's response to the threat to Singapore society. Lastly, the article will examine some lessons learnt from the Singapore experience in ...

An Ideological Response to Combating Terrorism – The Singapore Perspective

The primary objective of this article is to provide a map of Imam Samudra's thinking behind Bali bombing I as written in his book Aku Melawan Teroris to those who are not able to read the book in its original Indonesian language with an assumption that counterideological effort cannot be executed effectively without understanding the ideas held by terrorism perpetrators. To add value, the article also offers a comparative study between Samudra's thinking and Al Qaeda's ideology. It then points out and provides brief alternative viewpoints to Samudra's thinking. The article ends with some policy recommendations pertaining to counterideological work.

Muhammad Haniff Hassan

Papers

War, peace or neutrality : an overview of Islamic polity's basis of inter-state relations

Key considerations in counter-ideological work against terrorist ideology.

Explaining Islam's Special Position and the Politic of Islam in Malaysia

An Ideological Response to Combating Terrorism – The Singapore Perspective

Imam Samudra's Justification for Bali Bombing 1