Have Government Policies Been Complicit in Creating Spaces Where Extremism Can Flourish?

• In Event: Roundtable: Domestic and International Terrorism

Abstract

Political rhetoric and policy have been complicit in creating ‘suspect identities’ and furthered the notion of the ‘Other’. Political debates around migration and jihadi terrorism have led to a division of extremism into acceptable and unacceptable forms of extremism. As contemporary political rhetoric panders to the right, blaming the ‘other’, e.g. migrants, multiculturalism and Islam, political rhetoric and policy has become complicit in the failure to address extremism. An unwillingness to address and engage with perceived and real grievances and injustices for political and ideological reasons has led to the proliferation of extremist attitudes and behaviours, with the right framed as ‘hooliganism’, leaving linked ideologies rarely challenged, and at times even promoted by mainstream politicians. The breakdown of trust between communities and authorities and communities creates the space for political extremism to flourish in public and private. Once embedded, group dynamics will only exacerbate conflict between in-groups and those who are seen as the ‘other,’ increasing extremism as well as the use of violence, while increasing the need for more intrusive surveillance.

Authors

• Joshua Skoczylis, University of Lincoln

• Sam Andrews, University of Lincoln