What Do We Know about Jihadist Radicalization?: Pre-Established Ideas, Realities and Questions

28 April 2021. From 18:30 To 20:00 | Webinar | English | Online

Grenoble, an open investigation after posters accusing Sciences Po teachers of Islamophobia. 9 of March 2021. REUTERS/Paul Chomarat

The attacks that stroke France and several European countries these past few years, and the departure of thousands of volunteers to the Iraqi-Syrian zone, have given impetus to “Jihadism”, which draw big political attention to it, both in media and academically. The research carried out by Laurent Bonelli & Fabien Carrié, starting point of this conference, was based on court records of 133 young French people who were prosecuted for terrorism or reported for “radicalization”. The analysis of those court records demonstrated how family situations, relations with the institutions, education and socializing with their peers set up appropriation for the Jihadist ideology. The study enables the understanding of the commitment of some young people to this cause. Also, when grouping under the label of “radicalization” it is possible to identify behaviours that respond to other logics (such as provocation) that are more related to public institution dynamics and contributes to building this phenomenon as a public problem. Laurent Bonelli, associate professor and researcher in Political Sciences at the Université de Nanterre, presents his investigation focused on the “radicalisation” concept and the commitment of certain young people to the cause behind “jihadism”.

Introduced by Lurdes Vidal, director of the Arab and Mediterranean World Department in IEMed and moderated by Jordi Pàmies, associate professor of the department of Educational Theories and Social Pedagogy and coordinator of the master (UAB). Discussed with Barah Mikail, program director (Political Science and Public Affairs, Saint Louis University, Madrid).

Session organized within the framework of the twinning arrangement between Aula Mediterrània and Aula Árabe Universitaria (Casa Árabe). Co-organised by the Master’s in Contemporary Migrations, Rights and Social Cohesion, UAB/UB and the Master’s program in Political Science and Public Affairs, Saint Louis University (Madrid).