TY - JOUR
T1 - Assembling and deconstructing radicalisation in PREVENT
T2 - A case of policy-based evidence making?
AU - Mythen, Gabe
AU - Walklate, Sandra
AU - Peatfield, Elizabeth Jane
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - In the last 15 years the concept of radicalisation has come to prominence as a means of explaining the process by which individuals become attracted to extremist ideology and endorse the actions of terrorist groups. Post 9/11, radicalisation has gained traction in policy, political and media circles in Britain, being commonly connected to the threat of ‘home-grown’ terrorism. In this article, we critique the understanding of radicalisation outlined in the UK Government’s PREVENT strategy. We focus specifically on how particular understandings of radicalisation are constructed, evidenced and operationalised in PREVENT and the way in which these understandings align with party political worldviews. It is posited that an unremitting focus on the role of religious ideology in the process of radicalisation within PREVENT mutes recognition of otherwise important material grievances expressed by individuals involved in violent extremism. At a broader level, our analysis adds to growing concerns around the deleterious impacts of the securitisation of social policy.
AB - In the last 15 years the concept of radicalisation has come to prominence as a means of explaining the process by which individuals become attracted to extremist ideology and endorse the actions of terrorist groups. Post 9/11, radicalisation has gained traction in policy, political and media circles in Britain, being commonly connected to the threat of ‘home-grown’ terrorism. In this article, we critique the understanding of radicalisation outlined in the UK Government’s PREVENT strategy. We focus specifically on how particular understandings of radicalisation are constructed, evidenced and operationalised in PREVENT and the way in which these understandings align with party political worldviews. It is posited that an unremitting focus on the role of religious ideology in the process of radicalisation within PREVENT mutes recognition of otherwise important material grievances expressed by individuals involved in violent extremism. At a broader level, our analysis adds to growing concerns around the deleterious impacts of the securitisation of social policy.
KW - counter-terrorism
KW - PREVENT
KW - preventing violent extremism
KW - radicalisation
KW - security policy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85018740921&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0261018316683463
DO - 10.1177/0261018316683463
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85018740921
SN - 0261-0183
VL - 37
SP - 180
EP - 201
JO - Critical Social Policy
JF - Critical Social Policy
IS - 2
ER -