The issues of extremism and terrorism are among the most pressing topics for governments and societies globally. The reasons for individuals drifting toward extremism and terrorism are diverse; however, economic and social factors such as poverty, unemployment, marginalization, and inequality are considered some of the most significant motivating factors. Therefore, believing in the importance of the role of political awareness and education at think tanks, and the responsibility to spread awareness, the Shaf Center for Future Studies and Conflict Analysis in Africa presents this series, which includes a monthly report on extremism and terrorism, as well as correcting misconceptions and distorted ideas exported from the West regarding extremism and terrorism. This diverse collection of reports sheds light on various factors and influences related to the roots of terrorism and extremism.
Accordingly, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the causes and motivations behind terrorism, the impact of poverty and unemployment on the inclination toward extremism and terrorism, and clarifies the role of inequality and social marginalization in fostering extremism and terrorism, not to mention strategies for confronting these issues.
First: Causes and Motivations of Terrorism:
The causes and motivations behind the rise of international, regional, or local terrorism encompass political, historical, psychological, social, economic, and personal reasons, often based on inherited grievances, particularly from a religious perspective. Nonetheless, not all motivations and reasons for international terrorism are understood; some terrorist operations cannot have their motives or causes identified due to the death of perpetrators or the failure of investigative authorities to extract their reasons and motivations following a terrorist act. These causes can be summarized as follows:
Political Causes and Motivations: This refers to achieving political goals through the pressures exerted by terrorist operations and the implementation of violence against policies of racial discrimination, for example. Members may seek to alert global public opinion to a political issue, demand the release of prisoners in a certain country, or force a state to change a particular policy concerning a certain region either within or outside its borders.
An illustrative example is the terrorism that occurred on September 11 against the United States, targeting the Pentagon and the Twin Towers in New York. In another context, states may perpetrate acts of terrorism and violence against specific populations to control them, forcing them to relinquish their land and flee either to other areas within the same state or outside its borders. Terrorist operations often spark considerable debate about their legality, as they usually occur after all conventional legal pathways for peaceful means have been closed. Indeed, “racial,” “ethnic,” “cultural,” and “religious” hostilities are fundamental factors in escalating global terrorism. This reality reinforces the belief everywhere that the phenomenon of terrorism should not be taken lightly if the international community intends to address it at its roots. Some argue that unless the underlying causes producing terrorism are resolved through realistic and studied solutions aimed at defusing violence, the phenomenon will persist and may even worsen.
This does not imply that these analysts overlook the complexities and numerous international sentiments surrounding the phenomenon of terrorism; they acknowledge this and agree that finding a solution will not always be easy or possible, especially when considering the many political tensions within the international community, each of which necessitates a comprehensive international strategy to address, which is challenging to achieve in the current international climate. A realistic approach to the problem of terrorism should not stop merely at punitive measures but must extend to identifying its causes to effectively and objectively overcome them.
Media-Related Motivations and Causes: Media-related motivations refer to bringing issues to global public attention. Terrorist operations aim to present their cause to public opinion channels and international organizations, drawing attention to the injustices faced and attempting to garner support from other states and groups for their causes. Given the media importance of terrorist operations, some have suggested that terrorism relies on two main elements: “spreading fear and panic” and “publicizing the cause.” Typically, the goals of terrorism differ from those of conventional warfare: the former achieves the aforementioned aims, while the latter seeks to occupy land, destroy the military capabilities of the enemy, control the resources of nations, and realize long-term strategic goals for the entire region, as seen in the U.S. military control of Afghanistan and Iraq and the planning for the future of other nations likely to be invaded if there is no vigilance and readiness to thwart such opportunities through political savvy. The recent advancements in technology and communications have facilitated the success of terrorists in drawing the global public’s attention to their issues, sometimes creating a level of sympathy for them, despite disagreements over the legitimacy of their acts. This leads to pressure on the state to address these issues with sufficient care and to negotiate with involved parties.
Personal Motivations and Causes: These refer to the pursuit of individual goals and personal interests through terrorist actions. Naturally, these personal motives manifest in various forms, such as terrorist acts like hijacking aircraft or fleeing to another country for different reasons, including political opposition to the government and an inability to leave the state via legitimate means, thus requesting political asylum in the state where they land. Individual driving factors might stem from difficult financial conditions or restrictions imposed by current laws on certain groups’ emigration abroad, or the motive may simply be escaping the implementation of a final judicial ruling or evading police or security pursuits. Sometimes, it could result from the terrorist’s psychological state, mental breakdown, or emotional turmoil, all while they remain determined to find a way out of their predicament.
Second: The Impact of Poverty on the Tendency Towards Extremism and Terrorism
Among the most studied and impactful factors influencing extremism and terrorism are poverty, unemployment, social marginalization, and inequality. The following elaborates on how these factors drive individuals toward extremism and terrorism:
The Relationship Between Poverty and Surrounding Environment:
Poverty can create fertile ground for extremism, as individuals suffering from poverty are deprived of essential services and opportunities, leading to frustration and making them susceptible to recruitment. There are three main levels to understanding the causes of terrorism, as discussed in “Krinshaw’s” study:
Individual Motivations: The psychological drive for individuals drawn to terrorist groups focuses on personal frustration as a primary cause, indicating that psychological factors, such as feelings of injustice or the need for self-actualization, play a role in shaping individual susceptibility to violence.
Organizational Conditions: This explores the organizational structures of terrorist groups and how group organization affects individuals’ ability to express their violent feelings, explaining how organizations provide the moral and logistical support necessary for carrying out violent actions that individuals might not be able to undertake alone.
Political and Social Factors: Here, the focus is on the role of the political context in shaping terrorism, emphasizing that the absence of political justice, lack of opportunities, and oppression by political systems drives groups to use terrorism as a means to achieve their goals. It also notes that the existence of an unstable or repressive political state increases the likelihood of extremist groups emerging.
The Link Between Poverty and Extremism:
Poverty fosters feelings of injustice and despair, with individuals living in chronic poverty facing a lack of opportunities that makes them vulnerable to extremist groups. According to the study by “Krin and Miller,” terrorist groups exploit the poor by providing basic needs, such as food and money, which facilitates the recruitment process. In Afghanistan, chronic poverty in rural areas illustrates how the Taliban has managed to exploit economically deprived individuals and draw them in. In Somalia, al-Shabab has capitalized on the poverty conditions to recruit unemployed youth. Additionally, studies by the World Bank in South Asia have indicated that rampant poverty was a key factor behind individuals joining armed groups like the Taliban.
Third: The Impact of Unemployment on Extremism and Terrorism
Unemployment is a primary driver of despair and frustration among youth, feelings that often lead to extremism and terrorism. The relationship can be understood through the following points:
Loss of Hope and Frustration: Unemployment represents an economic and social crisis placing individuals, especially youth, in a state of frustration and despair, which sometimes drives them to commit acts of violence as a form of expressing their discontent or attempting to regain lost hope:
Loss of Self-Worth: Unemployment leads individuals to feel valueless in society, especially when economic opportunities are non-existent. This feeling heightens psychological isolation and encourages affiliation with groups that provide a sense of identity and belonging.
Accumulated Frustration: The frustration stemming from the inability to achieve a decent life or support one’s family generates feelings of anger and aggression, making individuals susceptible to extremism as a means of expressing this anger.
Feelings of Social Injustice: Unemployment causes individuals to feel marginalized and unrecognized in society; this marginalization fuels their desire to join groups that offer alternative identities or a sense of belonging. When youth experience unemployment amid a limited elite controlling resources and opportunities, they develop a sense of social injustice, which drives some to seek revenge or change their reality through extremist means.
Exploitation of Unemployed Individuals’ Frustration by Terrorist Groups: Terrorist groups exploit the frustration of unemployed individuals in various ways:
- Providing attractive jobs or salaries (even if fictitious).
- Taking advantage of weak economic alternatives to convince youth that joining them is their only solution.
- Promoting slogans and ideologies that blame governments and societies for the state of unemployment, which exacerbates feelings of anger.
Loss of Hope and “Investing in Despair”: Long-term unemployment leads to hopelessness about the future, a key factor driving individuals to seek radical solutions. Extremist groups capitalize on this despair by offering individuals a “new purpose” and the promise of fighting for an ideological cause that is envisaged to yield a better life or vengeance against a society they believe has wronged them. Unemployment drives youth to feel excluded and worthless, as noted in a study by researcher “Pierkowitz” on extremism in Africa, which highlighted how frustration resulting from unemployment could escalate into aggression, facilitating the engagement in violent acts.
Exploiting Free Time: Unemployment means not just a lack of income; it also leaves individuals, especially youths, in a state of dead time that can be exploited by extremist and terrorist groups. Free time caused by unemployment serves as fertile ground for enhancing feelings of frustration and searching for alternative identities, and extremist groups often use this downtime to recruit individuals by promising work opportunities or enticing salaries, as seen in areas like the Sahel, where organizations like Boko Haram operate. An UN study (2017) in Syria found that youth unemployment was a key factor in their joining ISIS.
Fourth: Social Marginalization and Its Impact on Enhancing Extremism
Social marginalization is a structural factor undermining individuals’ integration into their communities, leading to feelings of exclusion from social, political, and economic processes, which can foster frustration and anger. This state makes individuals more susceptible to adopting extremist ideas as a means of expressing their discontent or regaining their sense of value and belonging. Here’s how:
Marginalization and Lost Identity: Factors such as poverty, unemployment, inequality, and social marginalization increase feelings of alienation and non-belonging. This marginal feeling drives the search for an alternative identity that provides individuals with value, purpose, and belonging, which extremist groups exploit to recruit members. Those who feel economically, socially, or politically marginalized are more likely to develop feelings of hatred and animosity toward society.
Discriminatory Policies: Marginalization resulting from racial or economic policies creates a sense of non-belonging that makes extremism a tool for reclaiming dignity or achieving justice. Studies in France have shown that the marginalization of Muslim communities in suburbs contributed to rising rates of extremism and terrorism among youth.
Fifth: The Role of Inequality in Enhancing Extremism and Terrorism
Inequality, whether economic, social, or political, is one of the most prominent structural reasons that contribute to the rise of extremism and terrorism. When individuals or groups feel they are suffering from injustice or discrimination compared to others, their feelings of relative deprivation increase, creating a fertile environment for adopting extremist ideas or engaging in terrorist acts. This is clarified through:
- Wealth Gap and Lost Justice: Inequality creates widespread resentment among marginalized groups, driving them to seek ways to express their anger, often through violence or joining extremist groups. According to research by “Jane Sharp”, inequality erodes trust in the state, prompting individuals to seek alternative forms of justice. Studies in Southern Africa have shown that economic inequality between whites and blacks has contributed to the emergence of extremist movements.
Sixth: Strategies for Confrontation
The most prominent confrontation strategies require a comprehensive and sustainable approach, detailed as follows:
Economic Empowerment and Local Development: Economic empowerment and local development are among the most important tools for addressing the fundamental factors that drive individuals toward extremism, such as poverty, unemployment, marginalization, and inequality. Improving individuals’ economic conditions helps them live with dignity and grants them opportunities for constructive participation in their communities. This could involve:
Reducing unemployment and poverty by creating job opportunities, especially in marginalized areas, which can limit the motivations to join extremist groups exploiting individuals’ economic needs. Training unqualified workers enhances job opportunities and reduces social inequality.
Fostering a sense of belonging through economic empowerment, which mitigates social exclusion, enabling individuals to develop strong ties with their communities and decreasing the appeal of extremist ideologies.
Reducing inequality by focusing local development programs on narrowing economic gaps by offering direct support to impoverished groups, thus reducing the sense of social injustice often exploited by extremist groups for recruitment.
Supporting women and youth by facilitating economic empowerment opportunities, reducing their vulnerability to extremist calls. For example, some African and Asian countries have adopted local development projects like building agricultural and small industrial infrastructures that improved incomes, lowered unemployment rates, and subsequently reduced conflicts and extremism.
Enhancing Social Protection: Social protection policies aim to mitigate the impacts of poverty, unemployment, marginalization, and inequality by providing financial support and social services to vulnerable groups. These strategies enhance social stability and prevent individuals from gravitating toward extremist groups that capitalize on frustration and economic needs. This could involve:
Reducing feelings of social exclusion through social welfare programs like health insurance, free education, and housing support, which help diminish the sense of injustice and inequality, contributing to lowering discontent that may drive individuals to seek solutions outside the social system, including extremism.
Improving economic security by providing a basic income or economic safety nets, minimizing financial pressures that weaken family stability and expose them to extremist ideas.
Building trust between citizens and the state through implementing comprehensive and equitable social protection programs that reinforce citizens’ confidence in the government, reducing the allure of narratives promoting systemic failures.
Promoting Education and Citizenship: Education and cultivating citizenship values play a crucial role in countering factors that lead individuals toward extremism, such as poverty, unemployment, and marginalization. Enhancing education improves cognitive and professional skills, which can help:
- Boost job opportunities and reduce unemployment: Quality education opens new career horizons, mitigating unemployment associated with poverty—a fertile environment for extremist groups.
- Develop critical thinking: Education enhances the ability to differentiate between accurate and false information, limiting susceptibility to extremist propaganda.
- Empower marginalized groups: Providing equal educational opportunities socially and economically integrates marginalized groups, reducing their chances of being exploited by extremist organizations.
National Belonging and Identity: Instilling citizenship values through educational curricula fosters national identity and belonging, reducing attraction to ideas threatening societal stability.
Spreading Tolerance and Cohabitation: Educational programs focused on values of tolerance and coexistence contribute to fostering cohesive communities better equipped to resist extremism.
Encouraging Social Responsibility: Nurturing citizenship values makes individuals more aware of their responsibilities toward their communities, thereby reducing their susceptibility to destructive ideologies.
Community Partnerships: Community partnerships are an effective tool for addressing the root causes driving individuals toward extremism and terrorism by coordinating efforts between governments, civil institutions, the private sector, and local communities. This results in comprehensive solutions to issues of poverty, unemployment, marginalization, and inequality, enhancing social stability through:
Empowering marginalized groups by supporting community initiatives that provide job opportunities and vocational training for the most vulnerable, involving youth and women in community projects to reduce their sense of exclusion.
Promoting local cooperation and encouraging interaction between individuals and local institutions through joint projects fostering belonging and reducing social isolation, as well as cooperating with local and religious leaders to raise awareness and spread moderate discourse that promotes tolerance and rejects violence.
Supporting education and positive values through partnerships with schools and universities to enhance interactive education and promote values of tolerance and citizenship, offering workshops and seminars to educate about the dangers of extremism and cultivate a culture of dialogue.
Enhancing local infrastructure by collaborating with the private sector to improve underserved areas through building training centers, sports facilities, and educational resources.
Security and Prevention Policies: Security and preventive policies play a pivotal role in combating the phenomenon of extremism and terrorism by addressing the factors contributing to their emergence, such as poverty and marginalization. These policies can reduce risks by enhancing security, building trust between communities and the state, and targeting root causes instead of solely relying on punitive responses. This can be achieved through:
Collecting and analyzing intelligence: Improving intelligence systems to detect and analyze threats from terrorist groups, focusing on international cooperation to share information about extremist networks.
Enhancing community security: Adopting strategies that involve local communities in enhancing security, supporting community policing efforts, and fostering relationships with citizens in marginalized areas to build trust and minimize attraction to extremist ideologies.
Monitoring digital activities: Utilizing technology to surveil and counter extremist content online while respecting civil rights, and developing counter-campaigns on social media to dismantle narratives promoted by terrorist groups.
Rapid crisis response: Establishing specialized units to efficiently respond to crises and terrorist attacks, minimizing their impact on communities. Prevention should be viewed as a long-term strategy by addressing underlying issues, such as developing social and economic policies focused on reducing poverty and unemployment in marginalized regions, and supporting education and vocational training to enhance job opportunities and lessen feelings of exclusion.
Promoting Moderate Discourse: Fostering community-led initiatives aimed at disseminating moderate religious and political discourse to counter extremism involves engaging religious leaders and opinion shapers in building societal awareness that supports tolerance and dialogue. Collaborative efforts between government sectors and local communities can yield preventative programs that encompass education, mental health, and social counseling, particularly in areas at risk of extremism. Programs designed for re-integrating former extremists into society through education and psychological and social support are crucial.
Conclusion:
Tackling the factors leading to extremism and terrorism, primarily economic and social factors, necessitates comprehensive and multifaceted strategies that enhance education and citizenship, empower communities economically, bolster social protection, encourage community partnerships, and implement security and preventive policies. All these represent essential tools for achieving security and stability. International and regional experiences have demonstrated that success lies in combining security measures with developmental policies, ensuring social justice, promoting societal dialogue, and adopting an integrated approach involving all stakeholders, from governments to local communities. This creates an environment of trust and inclusion, reducing the chances of individuals being affected by extremist ideologies. Overall, investing in humanity—whether through education, protection, or development—remains the most effective factor in building resilient societies capable of facing the intellectual and social challenges associated with extremism and terrorism.
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