Causes of extremism

Question 1

Social causes of extremism

Answer 1

Peer pressure, religious radicalisation, ideological beliefs

Question 2

Social cause: peer pressure

Answer 2

Extremist organisations have a dynamic similar to cults, intimidate people into leaving their homes
Dynamic where they pressure people into committing extremist acts on their behalf

Question 3

Social cause example: peer pressure

Answer 3

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ISIS recruiters used platforms such as telegram to target isolated individuals and give them a sense of belonging

Question 4

Social cause: religious radicalisation

Answer 4

People who commit extremist acts in the name of religion are religious extremists.
During 9/11, those involved were angry at the West’s involvement in Middle-Eastern affairs

Question 5

Social cause example: religious radicalisation

Answer 5

In 2020, ISIS militants opened fire on a Gurdwara in Kabul, Afghanistan

Question 6

Social cause: ideological beliefs

Answer 6

When small groups use extremism to impose their political and sociological beliefs on others, ideology does not have to be religious or political in nature

Question 7

Social cause example: ideological beliefs

Answer 7

Extremists associated with the ALF delivered packages to UCLA scientists that were contaminated with AIDS to intimidate them into stopping testing on animals

Question 8

Economic causes of extremism

Answer 8

Government corruption, deprivation, unemployment

Question 9

Economic cause: government corruption

Answer 9

Governments of countries that are often victims of extremism are more likely to embezzle state funds, so may not be able to support citizens
People join extremist organisations because of this to be paid or revered as martyrs

Question 10

Economic cause example: government corruption

Answer 10

Underdeveloped regions in Myanmar have seen a rise in violence from militant groups because of the military’s oppression against minorities

Question 11

Economic cause: deprivation

Answer 11

Deprivation can radicalise people because they are unhappy with living conditions
Poverty can make people more vulnerable to propaganda from extremist groups

Question 12

Economic cause example: deprivation

Answer 12

After the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, there was increased recruitment in groups like ISIS-K because economic conditions worsened

Question 13

Economic cause: unemployment

Answer 13

Unemployment can lead to economic hardship and feelings of hopelessness, makes people more susceptinble to radical ideologies
Organisations take advantage of people feling excluded from society by offering financial stability

Question 14

Economic cause example: unemployment

Answer 14

French and Belgian authorities reported that ISIS recruiters were targeting young men in immigrant communities with a lack of job opportunities

Question 15

Political causes of extremism

Answer 15

Government repression, nationalism, retaliation

Question 16

Political cause: government repression

Answer 16

Countries may adopt oppressive forms of government (dictatorships)
People commit extremist acts against these governments to show their discontent

Question 17

Political cause example: government represion

Answer 17

The widespread feelings of discontent for Syrian President, President Assad, led to armed protestors calling for his removal

Question 18

Political cause: nationalism

Answer 18

Nationalism is the belief that people should be independent based on culture and characteristics that make them superior
May turn to extremism to make their voices heard

Question 19

Political cause example: nationalism

Answer 19

The attacker in the Norwegian Mosque attack was tied to a white supremacist ideology

Question 20

Political cause: retaliation

Answer 20

Act of harming a person or organisatio because they have harmed you or someone you care about
Islamic extremists have carried iut terror attacks for the West’s involvement in Middle Eastern affairs

Question 21

Political cause example: retaliation

Answer 21

The attacker in the 2020 Vienna shooting was linked to ISIS and motivated by Islamic extremism