From terrorism to ‘radicalization’ to ‘extremism’: counterterrorism imperative or loss of focus?

Abstract

This article argues that there has been an increasing convergence of the discourses of terrorism, radicalization and, more lately, extremism in the UK and that this has caused counterterrorism to lose its focus. This is particularly evident in the counterterrorism emphasis on non‐violent but extremist ideology that is said to be ‘conducive’ to terrorism. Yet, terrorism is ineluctably about violence or the threat of violence; hence, if a non‐violent ideology is in and of itself culpable for terrorism in some way then it ceases to be non‐violent. The article argues that there should be a clearer distinction made between (non‐violent) extremism of thought and extremism of method because it is surely violence and the threat of violence (integral to terrorism) that should be the focus of counterterrorism. The concern is that counterterrorism has gone beyond its remit of countering terrorism and has ventured into the broader realm of tackling ideological threats to the state.

Informal Countermessaging: The Potential and Perils of Informal Online Countermessaging

“…25 Richards, for example, argues for a distinction between "extremism of thought" and "extremism of method." 26 Conflating nonviolent ideology with violent methods is problematic from a policy angle, but equally distinguishing between nonviolent and violent ideology, and crucially the trajectories between the two, is also extremely difficult. These nuanced and at times invisible distinctions create extremely muddy waters for governments looking to either counter extremist ideologies directly, or do so through proxies.…”

Implementing ‘Prevent’ in countering violent extremism in the UK: A left-realist critique

“…A youth element also became a feature of the policy content (HMSO, 2011). In effect, the UK government widened its counterterrorism strategy to target not just terrorism but also ideology (Richards, 2011). Consequently, 'Prevent' re-emphasised the dominant notion that individuals are necessarily on a direct path towards violent extremism as the primary problematic, even though the policy identified a significant conflation between social cohesion and counterterrorism.…”

The Role of Former Combatants in Preventing Youth Involvement in Terrorism in Northern Ireland: A Framework for Assessing Former Islamic State Combatants

“…While Schmid focuses on ideology, 30 Richards focuses on attitudes toward violence as opposed to ideology, 31 and Neumann highlights how the narratives of Islamic State defectors could play a preventative role, 32 the following article takes a framing approach. A frame denotes a schema of interpretation which functions to organise experience and guide action, whether individual or collective.…”