Violence & Security 2024-2025 : week 4 - 6
WEEK 4 TERRORISM
What is Criminal violence carried out by nonstate actors in
terrorism? order to intimidate a population or to attain a
political, religious or ideological goal.
But what defines a terrorist? -> definition can be
contested.
- What is the motive? Political/religious/ideological
purposes.
- Can some causes make terrorism "just"?
- Can a state be a terrorist? E.g. slavery, police
brutality, colonisation.
The definition of terrorism often omits racially
motivated violence.
Perspectives on - Strategic/rationalist perspective
terrorism - Ideological perspective
- Individual-level motivations
Strategic/rationalist perspective
Pushes back against the idea that terrorists are
"irrational" actors driven by hate. Terrorism is a
calculated strategy and can help achieve goals of the
organisation/movement.
Why is it rational?
It's a tactic used by weak organisations to reach their
goals when conventional methods are unavailable
(see Kydd and Walter).
Ideological perspective
Ideology provides the narrative and moral framework
that makes terrorism seem acceptable and necessary.
Ideology is not the sole cause of terrorism but rather
shapes how it develops and affects its dynamics.
Why do Individual-level motivations
individuals Why do individuals join terrorist groups?
participate in Demographics (factors like social identity,
,terrorist acts? ideology, and personal grievances play a role)
Radicalisation through framing (through framing
of events or narratives that cast their grievances
as part of a larger, meaningful struggle).
Social networks (participation often influenced
by social networks).
Gradual escalation (individuals often
progressively adopt more extreme views).
(see Dalgaard-Nielsen).
Dalgaard- Different theories on radicalisation:
Nielsen
(2020) French sociology
"Violent Focus on sociological background factors
Radicalization (globalisation and weakening of traditional
in Europe: What communities = structural factors).
We Know and Radicalisation is a response to identity crisis
What We Do combined with perceived discrimination →
Not Know" search to reconstruct this lost identity in a
perceived hostile/confusing world.
Specifically happens to second or third
generation Muslim immigrants → double sense
of non-belonging.
Violent Islamism offers a ready-made identity, a
moral framework and a community (but in the
end still has a weak social base and no long-
term program).
Cannot explain individual variation in
radicalisation
outcomes.
Social movement theory
Group-level variables → Social networks as
transmitters of radical ideas.
Social movement theory: success of a social
movement depends on its ability to promote a
specific version of reality and to make this
version resonate with the worldview of potential
recruits (framing).
Network theory: bottom-up radicalisation →
moral outrage, group discussions, and peer
escalation.
, The way ideas spread and beliefs about what is
righteous is influenced by the way hardships are
framed by others in the group.
Empiricism
Individual level factors (needs/inclinations),
diverse drivers and triggers at the individual
level.
Different personality types: leader, protégé,
misfit, drifter.
Radicalisation typically happens horizontally
(peer-to-peer). Oten through group dynamics
and feeling structurally excluded and
disempowered.
Three motivational categories: search for
meaning and respect, search for community, or
ideological/political grievance (reaction to
perceived injustices).
These theories show that radicalisation is multicausal
and multifaceted.
Peer influence and charismatic leaders play a crucial
role in the process of radicalisation.
What is racial A special form of political violence aimed at
terrorism? maintaining or re-establishing racial hierarchies and
white dominance (e.g. Ku Klux Klan).
Racial terrorism must be understood within the
broader context of systemic racism, where race
structures access to resources, power and safety.
How can we Racial terrorism is not just random violence. Racial
understand terrorism in the U.S. has deep historical roots:
racial terrorism
in the context Slavery
of the U.S.? The economy of the Southern states was intrinsically
linked to slavery, which meant that any threat to the
institution was perceived as a threat to white power
and prosperity. The election of Abraham Lincoln in
1860 was seen as a direct threat to this system, which
prompted Southern secession and lead to the Civil
War, with slavery at the core of the conflict.
WEEK 4 TERRORISM
What is Criminal violence carried out by nonstate actors in
terrorism? order to intimidate a population or to attain a
political, religious or ideological goal.
But what defines a terrorist? -> definition can be
contested.
- What is the motive? Political/religious/ideological
purposes.
- Can some causes make terrorism "just"?
- Can a state be a terrorist? E.g. slavery, police
brutality, colonisation.
The definition of terrorism often omits racially
motivated violence.
Perspectives on - Strategic/rationalist perspective
terrorism - Ideological perspective
- Individual-level motivations
Strategic/rationalist perspective
Pushes back against the idea that terrorists are
"irrational" actors driven by hate. Terrorism is a
calculated strategy and can help achieve goals of the
organisation/movement.
Why is it rational?
It's a tactic used by weak organisations to reach their
goals when conventional methods are unavailable
(see Kydd and Walter).
Ideological perspective
Ideology provides the narrative and moral framework
that makes terrorism seem acceptable and necessary.
Ideology is not the sole cause of terrorism but rather
shapes how it develops and affects its dynamics.
Why do Individual-level motivations
individuals Why do individuals join terrorist groups?
participate in Demographics (factors like social identity,
,terrorist acts? ideology, and personal grievances play a role)
Radicalisation through framing (through framing
of events or narratives that cast their grievances
as part of a larger, meaningful struggle).
Social networks (participation often influenced
by social networks).
Gradual escalation (individuals often
progressively adopt more extreme views).
(see Dalgaard-Nielsen).
Dalgaard- Different theories on radicalisation:
Nielsen
(2020) French sociology
"Violent Focus on sociological background factors
Radicalization (globalisation and weakening of traditional
in Europe: What communities = structural factors).
We Know and Radicalisation is a response to identity crisis
What We Do combined with perceived discrimination →
Not Know" search to reconstruct this lost identity in a
perceived hostile/confusing world.
Specifically happens to second or third
generation Muslim immigrants → double sense
of non-belonging.
Violent Islamism offers a ready-made identity, a
moral framework and a community (but in the
end still has a weak social base and no long-
term program).
Cannot explain individual variation in
radicalisation
outcomes.
Social movement theory
Group-level variables → Social networks as
transmitters of radical ideas.
Social movement theory: success of a social
movement depends on its ability to promote a
specific version of reality and to make this
version resonate with the worldview of potential
recruits (framing).
Network theory: bottom-up radicalisation →
moral outrage, group discussions, and peer
escalation.
, The way ideas spread and beliefs about what is
righteous is influenced by the way hardships are
framed by others in the group.
Empiricism
Individual level factors (needs/inclinations),
diverse drivers and triggers at the individual
level.
Different personality types: leader, protégé,
misfit, drifter.
Radicalisation typically happens horizontally
(peer-to-peer). Oten through group dynamics
and feeling structurally excluded and
disempowered.
Three motivational categories: search for
meaning and respect, search for community, or
ideological/political grievance (reaction to
perceived injustices).
These theories show that radicalisation is multicausal
and multifaceted.
Peer influence and charismatic leaders play a crucial
role in the process of radicalisation.
What is racial A special form of political violence aimed at
terrorism? maintaining or re-establishing racial hierarchies and
white dominance (e.g. Ku Klux Klan).
Racial terrorism must be understood within the
broader context of systemic racism, where race
structures access to resources, power and safety.
How can we Racial terrorism is not just random violence. Racial
understand terrorism in the U.S. has deep historical roots:
racial terrorism
in the context Slavery
of the U.S.? The economy of the Southern states was intrinsically
linked to slavery, which meant that any threat to the
institution was perceived as a threat to white power
and prosperity. The election of Abraham Lincoln in
1860 was seen as a direct threat to this system, which
prompted Southern secession and lead to the Civil
War, with slavery at the core of the conflict.
