A Plan for Revitalizing the Iraqi Economy

In addition to socio-economic factors, a whole spectrum of motivations for joining Islamic Fundamentalist groups has been documented in the literature. Individuals my join extremist groups to achieve specific political objectives such as sovereignty over disputed territory. Emotional incentives may also play an important role. Members of extremist groups often report on the glamour of being members of such groups. Unknown, lower-class youth can become famous through their military actions, with thousands turning out for their funerals when they are martyred. However, “the single most common emotional feature among jihadi militants, regardless of their rank is their feeling that they have been humiliated and treated as 'second class' by government authorities and others—even those jihadis from relatively rich countries and advantaged backgrounds.”[3]