Narratives of Radicalization and Options for De-Radicalization

Processes of radicalization and extremist mobilization have again in the last years gained political and societal importance and attention. The processes of radicalization can be varied, with diverse factors influencing individual and group radicalization; they also differ regarding age and gender. Both radicalization and mobilization also occur and are fostered with the use of emotions and emotionalized framings in discourse. Claims and counter-claims are often emotionally colored. This paper explores processes of radicalization, and linked mobilization, by considering online media and social media. The analysis thus combines both text and (moving) images. Conceptually, the paper takes a critical and discourse-oriented perspective, also attending to issues of identity, self-other constructions, difference and otherness. Examples from Salafist and right-wing narratives of radicalizations are shown to illustrate the dynamics. Based on the analysis, the paper aims to develop points for narratives of de-radicalization, with particular attention to questions of which narrative themes to cover and connect with, which points to possibly avoid, and the role of information and those disengaging from radical groups.