CAUSES OF RADICALIZED AND VIOLENT EXTREMIST BEHAVIOUR: “A SOCIETAL CHANGE THEORY.”

Abstract

This paper examined the causes of radicalized and violent extremist behaviour: a societal change theory. The study design is rich and in-depth, which allowing all forms of explanation and description to establish a deep understanding of the phenomenon. Data are collected from previous write-ups, research findings and accumulated reports on the factors leading up to radicalization and extremist behaviour. Qualitative method was used to reveal the different reasons and perspectives why persons become radicalized. It involves systematic collection of data mainly from previous research findings which are organized, described and interpreted. Evidence is majorly from online sources, both newspapers and from online news reports, as well as by observation. The study reveals that there are various causes of Radicalization and Extremist behaviour. This ranges from lack of education, poverty, unemployment, ideology about race ethnicity and religion, nationalism as well as oppression and resource control issues which lead to conflict. The study also reveals that this behaviour has led to heightened psychological, physiological and financial stress for countries and for people as there is stigmatization as people feel every Muslim is a potential terrorist , especially after the September 11 terrorist attacks,  because is well  known that terrorist attacks are by Muslims who believe that killing of infidels’ yields them some Heavenly rewards. It recommended that: Governments should be educating the people on the respect for human rights, and educating on the need to accept diversity in ethnicity, on religion, on race and on opinion. Governments should start to build skill acquisition institutions that incorporate the tenet of tolerance as there are as many opinions as there are people on the planet earth. Learning to live and accommodate one another which make for development is a necessity as there can be no meaningful development without tolerance. More studies should be conducted on this topic.