Understanding Rightwing Extremism: Impact Of Political And Economic Climate On Radicalization – Report

Research Methodology

Rightwing extremism: Current economic and political climate fueling resurgence in radicalization and recruitment.

The main aim of the report was to understand and assess the intelligence so as to fathom a bigger issue of radicalization and ways to combat the threat. The research question that is addressed through this report is to see if the economic and political climate has an impact on radicalization. Through this report, it is essential to see how far the federal, state and the local authorities can devise methods to counter terrorism (Zaxon, 2018).

Understanding the reports generated by scholars who have studied vastly on poverty and unemployment has tried to link them to radicalization. A 2007 report of the German Institute for Economic Research has helped in the understanding of the extremist rightwing ideologies. This report has specifically addressed xenophobia and antidemocratic ideals. Many conspiracy theories have been studied and those theories have reflected in the report. By studying the Christian Identity Organization it has been understood that the prophecies of the extremists have been taken up by the antigovernment conspiracy. The Supreme Court had decided in the case of District of Columbia v Heller, wherein the Court had held that an individual had the right to keep weapons under the provisions of the U.S Constitution. A FBI report in the year 2008 held that some veterans who were returning from Iraq or Afghanistan had started to join the extremist groups. 

Secondary data analysis has been used. Qualitative data collection process has been implemented to conduct the report.

The research was done by collecting the existing data and survey that were present in the FBI department and cells. Though the Office of Intelligence and Analysis had not received any data regarding the domestic rightwing terrorists there has been ample proof regarding the terrorist issues and the impending violence. The DHS/I&A has assessed the declining economy as one of the prime reasons behind the radicalization.

The conclusion of the report as highly supported by the research that was conducted. The report concludes the survey and the data that were studied in the process.

Research question:

The main research question in this case is to assist the policy makers by evaluating the scope of the threat faced by the law enforcement officials and the encounter process for the emerging threats to constitute radicalization process. 

The main theme of this report is to point out the aim of the leftwing radicalism in order to mitigate the threatening issues emerged in the post 9/11 stage. The main threat has been come out from the Islamic states and the main directory authority in this case is the al-Qaeda. Further, certain Salafi ideological influence has been pointed out in the main literature parts of this report. According to the report of the New York Police Department, the Salafi sources are trying to constitute certain Non-governmental organizations to proliferate the militant ideology. Further, the influences of the internet cafes have been mentioned here. Brian Michael Jenkins has pointed out certain resources regarding the Muslim institutions. Further, focus has been given on the extremist literature for instigating the terrorism. According to Alain Bauer, Criminologist at Sorbonne University, terrorism is the central pivot for the government and the harshest thing is that those organizations are quite opportunistic.

Factors Leading to Radicalization

Considering the brief of the report, it can be stated that the nature of the report is quite exploratory. It helps to understand the terrorist encounter process and the source of terrorism. It assists the lawmakers to resolve the dispute relating to the terrorist attacks. Therefore, it can be stated that the research method applies in this case is qualitative. This report will help to uncover the opinions to counter terrorism attacks and reveals the semi-structured method. Certain usual methods in this case are research, participation and observation.

The research collection method applies in this case is secondary and further research has been made by the New York Police Department. Certain terrorist sources have been filtered and various sources have been uncovered. The nature of the research was quite systematic.

Unlike the rightwing extremists, the aim of the western radicals is different. It has been observed in the previous paragraph that the main aim of rightwing is to protest against the financial scarcity in the country. Further, the problem regarding unemployment has made a great dilemma in the inter section of the country. On the other hand, the rise of western radicalism gives birth of Islamic-based terrorism in the New York City and the matter was established through various terrorist attacks such as Madrid’s March attack in 2004, London’s Attack in 2005 and Toronto’s 18 Case in 2006. The main aim of this group is not to protest against the economic problem or unemployment, but to spread threat all over the world. Certain researches have been taken place to understand the plan and plots of the terrorists by the US government; however, it has been observed that the terrorists are adopting various different techniques to materialize their action (Karakatsanis& Herzog, 2016). The main ideology of those radicals is based on Jihadi-salafi and the followers of this cult victimized the host countries and inspired by a number of homegrown groups. There are four separate phases can be observed in this place such as pre-radicalization, self-identification, indoctrination and Jihadization. No similarities can be observed regarding the action plans of these groups and all these models are sequential (Rooduijn&Akkerman, 2017). In case of rightwing extremists, economic downturn and unemployment was the main issues. In case of western radicalism, there are four main issues such as:

• Economic issue based on the lack of job and blocked mobility;
• Social issue such as alienation, discrimination and racism;
• Political issue such as global conflict as against the Muslim; and
• Personal issue that is death of close relatives

Further, in Western Radicalism, certain religious matter is involved. According to most of the Jihadi, a conception of “spiritual sanctioner” is evolved. In addition, the rightwing movement is national in nature; whereas the western radicalism is international and the terrorists are spreading the terror all over the world. Therefore, not only USA, various other countries are affected by this. The rightwing extremists are not followed a specific cult and no religious aspect is engraved under this group (Gomez, Morales & Ramiro, 2016). However, the Muslims mainly follow western radicals and they wanted to establish their identity in the world. Certain problems are there to identify the source of resentment between the two groups. In case of rightwing, it is clear that lack of financial sustainability and idleness is the main reason. Further, the movement was limited to the territorial jurisdiction of USA. However, in case of western radicalism, the matter was quite hard and the source of anger could not be resolved. Further, this movement is international and therefore, global effort is required to stop this phenomenon. Further, the Jihadis are adopting new techniques and one of the most utilized practices in the modern world is the rise of suicide squad (Ali, 2016). Further, most of the groups are divided in semi-groups and the operational leader heads each group. The leaders are motivated the jihadis with tapes and videos and money is offered to them. The growth of the jihadis is rapid and it becomes difficult to trace out the source of the radicals with prominence.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be stated that both the groups are based on the ideology to introduce terror attacks, but there are certain differences in between the groups. The USA government has to take different mentality to deal with the matters. The position of the groups should be identified and various steps are required to be identified and enforced.

References

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Gomez, R., Morales, L., & Ramiro, L. (2016). Varieties of radicalism: Examining the diversity of radical left parties and voters in Western Europe. West European Politics, 39(2), 351-379.

Karakatsanis, L., & Herzog, M. (2016). Radicalisation as form: beyond the security paradigm.

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Rooduijn, M., &Akkerman, T. (2017). Flank attacks: Populism and left-right radicalism in Western Europe. Party Politics, 23(3), 193-204.

Silber, M. B. A. (2007). Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat.

Windle, J., Morrison, J. F., &Winter, A. (2018). Introduction: Hawking the historical method in organized crime and terrorism studies. In Historical Perspectives on Organized Crime and Terrorism (pp. 13-26). Routledge.

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Zaxon, K.  (2018). Rightwing extremism: Current economic and political climate fueling resurgence in radicalization and recruitment (pp 5-7)