Journal for Deradicalization
Not a member yet
320 research outputs found
Sort by
Gender mainstreaming in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism
Full text linkHow does gender identity factor into preventing violent extremism, and rehabilitating individuals involved with terrorist networks? This question is becoming increasingly visible in the literature on preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) programs. However, it remains unclear how experts working on P/CVE initiatives understand the importance of gender in the context of violent extremism, and how they integrate gender-sensitive approaches in their work. By relying on the concept of gender mainstreaming, this paper aims to explore how much knowledge and understanding of gender perspectives in terrorism and violent extremism P/CVE practitioners have. Based on 10 interviews with 11 experts working on P/CVE programs, this study reveals that formal knowledge about gender perspectives in violent extremism remains relatively limited among P/CVE practitioners. On one hand, most experts intuitively realize how gender identity influences one’s participation in, and disengagement from violent extremism. Most P/CVE practitioners also recognize the need for gender equality in planning and executing their programs. However, the interviews revealed that there remain several areas of improvement. Firstly, although the interviewed P/CVE practitioners appreciate the importance of having a gender-sensitive perspective, they are not sure how these insights can help build more effective P/CVE mechanisms. Moreover, some of the P/CVE experts remain unclear on what terminology should be used to describe gender-sensitive P/CVE work. This paper argues that there is a need for greater dialogue between global security organizations, academics, and the P/CVE practitioners working on the ground, to design more effective and community-oriented preventing and countering violent extremism programs
Research Methods Brief: Anatomy of Process Evaluations for P/CVE
Full text linkProcess Evaluations are evaluations focused on understanding how a program is implemented. This also can include evaluating the extent to which a program is implemented according to plan (i.e., evaluating its “program fidelity”). In short, process evaluations seek to identify a program’s “moving parts” to assess the extent to which they are functioning as intended. Ideally, that includes uncovering the theoretical mechanisms—the reasons “why”—a program’s outputs or outcomes are (or are not) achieved. Understanding why a program is (or is not) working as well as expected is the backbone of evidence-based P/CVE program design and evaluation, and is essential to informing sound P/CVE program management decision-making. Consequently, without exception, good P/CVE-related research, or evaluation projects—those that are scientifically grounded—must include at least some element(s) of process evaluation. This research methods brief describes the fundamental components of process evaluations, common pitfalls and means to avoid those pitfalls, within the context of P/CVE program design and evaluation
The Repatriation & Reintegration Dilemma: How states manage the return of foreign terrorist fighters & their families
Full text linkThis study analyzes the interplay of factors which drive states’ approaches to the repatriation and reintegration of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) and their family members. The literature is dominated by descriptive studies of state policies that tend to explain states’ failure to repatriate and reintegrate citizens as the result of deference to governments’ national security decisions. Our study builds on these foundations to offer the scholarly and policy fields both a framework to explain why governments adopt distinct policy postures, and a means to enable these same actors to engage in more systematic analysis and development of repatriation and reintegration policy. This study argues that a balance of four considerations are crucial for explaining state behavior in this policy context: (i.) the scope of the issue, including the number of citizens considered FTFs or affiliated persons, geographic proximity, and access to the conflict, (ii.) existing legal basis for repatriation and reintegration, (iii.) instrumentalization for institution building, and (iv.) programming strategy for repatriation and reintegration. As a pilot study, this paper applies the framework to assess cases of the United States, the Netherlands, Kosovo, and Iraq. As FTF management issues are not a relic of the recent past but a persistent policy concern that warrants more nuanced and forward-looking attention, this study also considers the continued application of the framework to explore the different ways in which states may balance these four considerations in policy design and practice in the future
Social Networks and the Challenge of Hate Disguised as Fear and Politics
Full text linkThis case study examines social networks as the modern intersections of radical discourse and political extremism. But, as this research will show, extremist content in social networks, even that which has telegraphed violent hate crimes, is seldom communicated in textbook forms bigotry or provocations of violence. Today, the true challenge for social networks like Facebook and Twitter is addressing hate speech that reads more like fear mongering and identity politics, and thus, does not get flagged by monitors. From accounts dedicated to inciting fear over the “threat of immigrants” or “black crime,” to groups that form around hashtags declaring that a “#whitegenocide” is underway. These narratives represent the more ubiquitous versions of hate culture that permeate these popular spaces and radicalize cultural discourses happening there. This case study explores how such rhetoric has the same capacity to deliver messages of hate, and even incite violence, by investigating six hate crimes from 2019 that were preceded by social media diatribes. The comparative analysis will show how these examples mostly featured nonviolent expressions of cultural paranoia, rather than avowals of violence or traditional hate speech, thus making them harder to detect by programs seeking out such threats in plain sight. The research then examines the user policies of leading social networks to assess whether their guidelines on hateful and violent content are purposed to address the kinds of language that were espoused by these violent extremists. The study considers the strategies being employed by social networks to expose hateful content of all forms, and the need for more prominent counter narratives
Collaboration in Hybrid Spaces: The Case of Nordic Efforts to Counter Violent Extremism
Full text linkIn this article, we analyze policy regulating the multiagency organizational approaches used in Nordic countries to prevent violent extremism. From an institutional logic perspective and a conceptualization of multiagency work as conducted in hybrid spaces, we analyze and develop a new theoretical framework to explain how central policies inhabit distinctive logics that compete, mix, and co-exist in these spaces, and how they inscribe specific power relations embedded in dominant discourses
Shame, Norms and Values as possible Resources in Preventing and Countering Radicalisation
Full text linkThis article draws on empirical research – 23 qualitative interviews and data from ethnographic observation – within the German marksmen’s club milieu. There are over one million members of these clubs in Germany, where traditional customs, sociability and shooting sports are practised. Public perceptions of marksmen’s clubs are that they are rather conservative. Marksmen’s clubs look back to centuries-old traditions and, while they can be considered as part of the political mainstream or the social centre of society (Mitte der Gesellschaft), the milieu has attracted right-wing or extreme-right actors who have sought to influence, and appropriate certain aspects of, the milieu. This makes it an important environment for social scientific study in general and for radicalisation research in particular.
Rooted in the emic perspectives of the interviewed marksmen, this article explores a range of possible resources for preventing and countering radicalisation (P/CR) and facilitating non-radicalisation in the marksmen’s club milieu and society more widely. Drawing on reflections and findings in the field of criminal justice research, the moral emotion of (anticipated) shame is identified as such a potential resource alongside norms and values within the marksmen’s club and its communities. The article also discusses possible unintended, negative effects of (anticipated) shame, arguing that, if experienced as ‘stigmatising shaming’, such (anticipated) shame may also trigger or fuel radicalisation processes. The criminological concept of ‘reintegrative shaming’ is discussed as a potential way of avoiding such counterproductive ‘backfire effects’ and the notion of reintegrative dialogue – inspired by the emic perspectives of the interviewed marksmen – is explored
A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Deradicalisation: Results from Germany and Pakistan
Full text linkDeradicalisation refers to the process of distancing oneself from extremist ideologies. As a social challenge, it is usually addressed by specially qualified professionals. In this paper, based on 16 interviews with deradicalisation professionals, we comparatively examine deradicalisation practices in coercive environments in Germany and Pakistan. This cross-cultural comparison using “most dissimilar” cases allows us to distinguish between general and culture-specific approaches, while also allowing the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches to emerge; this can be used to further develop deradicalisation efforts. Based on our evaluation of target groups, goals, professional understandings of radicalisation and its methods, this text elaborates the differences and similarities of deradicalisation practices; we also formulate consequences for deradicalisation practice and outline the need for further research
Mandatory participation in programs to counter violent extremism: A review of evidence for and against
Full text linkDealing with released convicted terrorists and returned foreign fighters is a major policy challenge. One option is to mandate their participation in intervention programs. This paper will review evidence relating to mandatory participation in interventions targeting convicted terrorists and individuals at risk of radicalisation, consider the benefits and drawbacks of mandating participation and explore relevant implementation issues relating to the adoption of mandatory programs. The following methodology was adopted: (1) a rapid scoping review across the fields of countering violent extremism, sex and violent offender rehabilitative programming; (2) a review of relevant policy documents and legislative sources; and (3) consultations with international experts. The conclusion drawn is that mandated participation may offer some benefits, but these need to be weighed against the drawbacks of such an approach
Centralising Women in P/CVE and Peacebuilding Programme Design
Full text linkThis policy paper provides a guiding framework for centralising the role of local women in preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) and peacebuilding programmes. It draws on the author’s research into the gendered appeals of violent extremist propaganda and field experiences implementing programmes across Southeast Asia. The approach outlined here builds on the “linkage” approach to propaganda analysis and P/CVE programme design arguing that women need to be capacitated with the knowledge and strategic tools and empowered through women’s networks to develop locally nuanced solutions. The Capacitate to Outcompete, Persuade, and Empower (C.O.P.E) framework consists of four broad pillars. First, workshops to educate women about violent extremist strategies and P/CVE and peacebuilding approaches. Second, narrative-driven actions led by women addressing key psychosocial, political, economic, and health issues. Third, strategic communications efforts to promote empowerment goals. Fourth, establish grassroots women’s networks as forums for bonding, support, and organisation for collective action. This paper highlights experiences implementing C.O.P.E offering a practical guide for design and implementation
Proscribing the Nordic Resistance Movement in Finland: Analyzing the Process and its Outcome
Full text linkThe Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM) was banned in Finland in 2020 after a court process lasting more than two and half years. This article details how effective the ban has been and how the organization has adapted to the ban, both during the process and after the verdict. The NRM has followed strategies similar to previous proscription cases, especially National Action in the UK in 2016, with whom NRM members discussed and shared experiences before the banning process began. Adaptation has meant new organizational forms and the founding of new associations. Before the ban, some commentators argued that it would only radicalize NRM members and that they might move to clandestine actions. Based on court records, police investigation files, and materials gathered from registries for trade and associations, this article covers these and other concerns as well as explores whether the goals set for the ban by the authorities have been realized. Along with perspectives on radicalization and adaptation within and around the NRM, a short analysis of the financial activities of the NRM before and after the ban has also been conducted