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Radicalization And Disengaging Essay

Decent Essays

Just as there is no uniform consensus regarding the definition of terrorism, the same issue also applies to the statistics regarding de-radicalization and disengaging of terrorists from their groups. In the case of the home-grown terrorist, unless it was an incarcerated terrorist, how could this information even be tracked? Although similarities to other types of group-based crime have been attempted, the difference lies within the motivations of terror groups. Other types of criminal groups arise from the issues of low socio-economic capital; in contrast, terror groups are based upon an ideology. Of course, poverty and low opportunities may encourage the formation of a terrorist mentality but it is not the driving force. Extremism in religion is usually the root cause of …show more content…

Each is different due to the motivations of each concept. Disengaging is the action of leaving a group; it does not necessarily mean a change in thoughts or beliefs that lead to terrorist ideals. Sometimes the group dissolves or splinters, leaving followers to fend for themselves. Other times, the specific role a member plays become eliminated or even the member is pushed out. Disengaging can be a self-directed move or initiated by the leader of the group to eliminate a member. De-radicalization stems from an actual change in the idealization and thoughts of a member of a terror group. Once their thoughts begin to shift, then there is a pulling away of the member and eventual disengaging. A distinct difference of terror groups from all other types of criminal groups is the ability of members to leave with few or no repercussions. Typically, a terrorist leader tries to convince the member to stay but otherwise supports the departure. The belief that trying to keep such a member within the ranks would contribute to demoralization of the others and break down the

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