NCJ Number
223078
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 32 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2008 Pages: 111-119
Date Published
2008
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses two ways in which terrorism recruitment is nurtured by "social fragmentation," which is defined as "inadequate connections among various social groups within a given society with regard to a common culture, ethnicity, religion, income and status level, or other common interests."
Abstract
In socially fragmented societies, those significantly disadvantaged by the fragmentation are motivated to use terrorism to express their sense of being obstructed from a meaningful connection to a political, economic, cultural, and social system that reflects their goals, beliefs, desires, and values; for example, in post-Saddam Iraq, the fragments' (Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds) demands for political control of the land and economic control of the oil-rich regions nurture terrorism. In discussing two ways in which social fragmentation nurtures terrorism recruitment, the author builds an argument that begins with colonial foundations under which "strongmen" funnel the political and economic resources to themselves and their cohorts. Social fragmentation results as groups with various ethnic identities are deprived of a significant stake in the control and benefits of the country's resources. Lacking any structure or established pathway for changing an existing political, economic, and cultural system for their benefit, disenfranchised fragments resort to terrorist tactics. Thus, the two pathways that lead to terrorist recruitment are the colonial policies and associated practices that provide an external force for controlling the distribution and use of a country's resources, and the existence of an identity consciousness rooted in blood ties, race, language, religion, territory, and custom. If the latter identities are perceived as disadvantaged or oppressed under the colonial foundations of a country, then there is a high risk for terrorist recruitment among these fragmented groups. 10 notes and 34 references