Countering Jihadi Cool: A New Framework for Countering Violent Extremism

• In Event: A Deeper Understanding of People to Help End Terrorism

Abstract

With the rise of the “Jihadi cool” narrative, countering extremist violence is now more important than ever. Though there have been programs created with the goal of countering violence, a successful formula for countering jihadist violence has yet to be developed. Up to this point, the radicalization of extremists, and the countering violence programs developed in response, have been considered unique issues, unrelated to other social issues. While it is unique in some key ways, radicalization is still at its base a social problem created through socialisation. If radicalization and “Jihadi cool” are treated as a social problem, parallels may be drawn by looking at others campaigns aimed at reducing social ills that were once also considered cool. This research seeks to understand the effective strategies created as part of existing social campaigns designed to confront social problems, and whether these strategies can be applied to counter radicalization programs. Anti-smoking, anti-drinking and driving, and anti-texting and driving, and anti-gang life campaigns were therefore reviewed to determine what types of campaigns were successful, why they were successful, and what components of them can be applied to counter radicalization programs.

Authors

• Vanja Zdjelar, Simon Fraser University

• Garth Davies, Simon Fraser University