Analysis of the radicalisation of Islam : case studies from South Africa and the United Kingdom.
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Date
2017
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Abstract
Radicalisation is a problem to which no country is immune. It is a dramatic shift in
behaviour and attitude that carries undesirable consequences such as the breakdown
of families, communities, and democracies – with the ultimate consequence being
terrorism.
The growing concern of Islamic radicalisation and the impact it can possibly have
underscores the focus of the current study. It also speaks to issues around religious
freedom and the broader fight against terrorism. It will be looking into the commonly
cited causes of radicalisation and the psychological processes involved in an
individual’s path to radicalism.
The research was approached from a constructionist orientation meaning that
individuals shape their reality based on their beliefs and interactions with other people
and the world. The study examines radicalisation within a paradigm focused on a
combination of criminological and psychological principles, to produce a
contextualised study on Islamic radicalisation. Case studies from South Africa and the
United Kingdom will be assessed with the theoretical frameworks of Moghaddam’s
Staircase to Terrorism (2005) and the Root Cause Model (Veldhuis & Staun, 2009) to
demonstrate the universality of the phenomenon of radicalisation.
The study rests on the idea of instrumental rationality found in rational choice theory
with the objective of assessing South Africa’s risk to radicalisation based on micro
and macro factors. The research found that the factors, which result in radicalisation, are many and
complex, and may not be reduced to a single cause. Although one factor that seems to
play a very significant role is identity, more specifically the need to belong, be
accepted and to have a purpose. In other words, the radical religious ideology
provides vocabulary and a bolstered identity, whereas politics provide the stimulus.
The ideology of the group is not as important as what the group is offering the
individual in terms of acceptance and a platform for expression. This study, as
previously stated is about Islamism due to global concern, although it could have been
about any radical organisation or movement.
It is recommended that discussions about religion, identity, foreign policy and politics
be encouraged especially amongst younger people. These discussions should not be weakened by political correctness, or when a radical view is expressed, the fear of
censure. All ideologies are, and should be open to questioning and investigation.
The researcher understands that this topic may be misunderstood – implying that there
is a heightened risk posed by specific groups. It is hoped that the substance of the
study will prove otherwise, with the researcher maintaining a secular view
throughout.
Description
Master of Social Sciences in Criminology and Forensic Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2017.