AI Flashcards Lecture 5
What is the role of ideology in violent groups?
Ideology facilitates a shared sense of purpose, bonding, and a negative image of ‘Others,’ potentially increasing the need for violence and reducing moral constraints.
How does ideology matter in the stages of joining a violent group?
Significance quest links to violent extremism only through group identity and ideology.
How is ideology communicated within a violent group?
Through leadership, as leaders embody the group’s values and ideology and represent the group to the outside world.
Are those with strong ideologies more likely to be leaders?
Not necessarily. Ideological leaders were found to be less central in terrorist networks than operational leaders, who focus on practical tasks and have strong interpersonal ties.
What are the characteristics of violent ideological groups?
They arise during social conflict and disruption, exhibit ideological righteousness and indoctrination, and their leaders often engage in selective information processing to maintain group cohesion.
How do leaders influence violence in political groups?
Leaders may be less likely to engage in violence directly but are more likely to have a known ideology. They often channel the group’s violence towards their core goals.
What is the impact of removing a leader from a political group?
Removing a leader does not necessarily reduce violence but can shift the type of violence, for example, from military targets to civilian targets.
How does removing a leader impact criminal groups?
It is not very effective in reducing violence long-term because the demand for the group’s product remains, and leadership removal can lead to turf wars and increased violence.
How do ideology and leadership ‘give direction’ to a group and its violence?
Ideology provides a worldview and justifies actions, while leaders communicate this ideology and maintain group cohesion.
