Friction - Clarck McCauley and Sophia Moskalenko

Question 1

What is the main elements of Clarck McCauley and Sophia Moskalenko theory on “friction”?

Answer 1

• We should stdy terrorism om three levels: Individual, group and mass radicalization.
• On each of these levels, there are certain steps towards radicalisation.

Question 2

What are the six mechanisms leading to radicalization on the individual level? And what do they mean?

Answer 2

• Personal grievance: You have suffered a trauma or are otherwise sad, or have been hit by an injustice. You want revenge for this.
• Group grievance: You want revenge on behalf of someone else. For instance the Iraqis.
• Slippery slope: progressive/unintentional. You find yourself in a series of situations, which pushes you into it.
• Love for a friend or a close family member: You fall in love with someone, and join their terror group.
• Love for risk-taking and/or the pursuit of personal prestige: You see a terror-organization as a way og gaining social prestige, or to make your life more interesting.
• Unfreezing: You leave your society, for instance because of civil war. In your new country you are completely isolated. You are disconnected to all social life, and are therefor free to join. Noone will tell you your extreme ideas are wrong. (Like DRIA alienation)

Question 3

What are the three mechanisms for group radicalization, and what do they mean? (Radicalization on a sociological level)

Answer 3

• Group polarization: Radicalization through discussion. In a discussion, you do not want to seem less extreme, less willing to sacrifice your life than the other members. You admire the most extreme members, and thereby all become more extreme.
• Group competition: An external enemy you have to compete with.
• Group isolation: Isolation  increased power of the group over the members. The outside world is perceived as dangerous. No negative feedback.

Question 4

What are the three mechanisms leading to mass radicalization?

Answer 4

• Jujitsy politics: By committing terror-attacks you get the government to react in an indiscriminate way, and thereby others starts feeling hostile towards society, and get radicalized.
• Hatred against the enemy: You see your enemy as inhumane, extremely evil and this hate fosters violence.
• Martyrdom: Competition between terror-groups: When one terror-group makes an attack, another wishes to make a bigger and more impressive one. Martydom can also lead to this competition. Martydom provides terrorists with a cognitive relief, since it is important to restore the honour of oppressed people by damaging their enemies.

Question 5

What is the role of ideology in Friction?

Answer 5

• Friction interprets terrorism in terms of multiple mechanisms, and downplays the role of ideology.