Project description
An in-depth study into the relationship between social exclusion and extremist behaviour
Over the years, studies on extremist behaviour have centred on discourses based on ethnicity, religious identity, socio-economic status and politics. While there is a growing focus on violent Islamism and far-right radicalisation, studies have failed to understand the interplay between these different forms of localised extremism. No study has yet investigated the reciprocity between Islamist and far-right extremism in a comparative European context. The EU-funded DRIVE project aims to produce a range of policy-oriented research findings to understand how social exclusion impacts on the co-radicalisation of far-right and Islamist groups in north-west Europe.
Objective
In recent years, research on extremist identity politics and political violence in Europe has focused on patterns of violent radical Islamism and far-right radicalisation among young men. This research has brought to the fore problems of identity, belonging, inter-generational change, alienation, marginalisation, inequality, masculinity and miseducation. These findings point to matters of space and place that compound existing exclusionary discourses based on ethnicity, religious identity, socio-economic status and politics. Moreover, far right movements and violent Islamists not only have similar breeding grounds but they arguably also feed off each other’s rhetoric and activism in particular local urban areas. However, there are significant gaps in understanding the interplay between these different forms of local extremism, as no study has yet to investigate the synergies or reciprocity between Islamist and radical right extremism in a comparative European context. Moreover, there is no detailed understanding of the relationship between the individual and structural factors that also take into consideration the psychosocial circumstances affecting already vulnerable people. There remains a fundamental lack of appreciation of the wider struggles of social inclusion that affect the radicalisation experience in urban areas. It is a central concern for all vulnerable people concerning radicalisation, where questions of personal and political identity combined with issues of intergenerational change affect the paths individuals can take. DRIVE will produce a range of policy-orientated research findings to better understand how exactly social inclusion impacts on radicalisation for far right and Islamist groups in different parts of North-Western Europe, the targeted groups and geographical focus of this project. The findings from this project will help to determine European-wide policy solutions that concentrate on social inclusion in de-radicalisation initiatives.
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
Keywords
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.6. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Europe In A Changing World - Inclusive, Innovative And Reflective Societies Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.6.1.1. - The mechanisms to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
- H2020-EU.3.6.1.2. - Trusted organisations, practices, services and policies that are necessary to build resilient, inclusive, participatory, open and creative societies in Europe, in particular taking into account migration, integration and demographic change
Call for proposal
H2020-SC6-GOVERNANCE-2018-2019-2020
See other projects for this callSub call
H2020-SC6-GOVERNANCE-2020
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
2311 EZ Leiden
Netherlands