Examining the Role of Religion in Radicalization to Violent Islamist Extremism |
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Authors: | Anne Aly Jason-Leigh Striegher |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Social Science and International Studies , Curtin University of Technology , Perth , Western Australia , Australia;2. Policing and Security , Charles Sturt University , Manly , New South Wales , Australia |
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Abstract: | In this article, the authors apply the four-phase radicalization model proposed by Silber and Bhatt 1 1. M. Silber and A. Bhatt, Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat (New York: New York City Police Department, 2007). Available at http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/public_information/NYPD_Report-Radicalization_in_the_West.pdf (accessed 19 December 2011). to a case study of Australia's first convicted terrorist, Jack Roche, based on communication with Roche after his incarceration and on a qualitative analysis of his trial. In doing so, they examine the validity of the four-phase model to a case of “home grown” terrorism and dissect the role of religion in the radicalization process. To conclude, the authors find that religion plays a far lesser role in radicalization toward violent extremism than the policy response contends and this has implications for counterterrorism programs that aim to address the drivers of violent extremism. |
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