Ideological Basis for Islamic Radicalism and Implications for Deradicalization

The flavor du jour in discussions of Islamic terrorism features a de-emphasis on the ideological component, drawing instead upon epidemiological and criminological concepts; approaching Mexican drug gangs and Islamic extremists as being more similar than they are different. This aids a network scrutiny and suggests buy-out rather than ideological deradicalization. Such new abandonments of the idea “turf” as in the anthropological/revived development theory approach which treats recruits as “accidental” ones and which emphasizes state-building as if it can be devoid of ideology are profoundly troubling. Perhaps despair over the ideological strength of Islamic extremism has set in, or policymakers seek more modest successes, which through media amplification could trump the failure to catch Osama, discourage the emergence of his ilk or Al-Qai’dism generally. Clearly the debate about how to best dampen enthusiasm for violent radicalism in immigrant communities and countries of origin continues.