To be radicalized means to undergo a process in which an individual or group adopts increasingly extreme political, social, or religious views that oppose the status quo. This process can lead to both violent and nonviolent actions, but academic and policy discussions often focus on radicalization as it relates to violent extremism or terrorism. Radicalization typically involves a shift from moderate beliefs toward more extreme ideologies, which may include the willingness to use violence to achieve political or ideological goals. Radicalization is not a single event but a process that can happen through various pathways, often involving feelings of disenfranchisement, triggers such as personal loss or injustice, and social interactions that reinforce these radical beliefs. It may culminate in actions intended to challenge or overthrow existing systems, sometimes through violence. Key points about radicalization include:
- It can be nonviolent or violent, with violent radicalization often linked to terrorism.
- It is context-dependent and can mean different things in different societies or settings.
- It usually involves the adoption of extreme views against political, social, or religious norms.
- Radicalized individuals may feel isolated from mainstream society and support or plan actions to enforce their beliefs, potentially including terrorism.
Definitions by authorities:
- The European Union defines violent radicalization as embracing opinions that could lead to terrorism.
- The UK defines it as the process by which people come to support terrorism and violent extremism.
- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police sees it as moving from moderate to extreme views that may lead to violence.
- UNESCO distinguishes radicalization as a search for fundamental meaning and group identity that can lead to polarization and violence.
Thus, to be radicalized means to become deeply committed to extreme and often oppositional ideas, sometimes leading to actions aimed at significant social or political change, including violence.
