Violent radicalization in Europe

Why does militant Islamism also appeal to apparently well-integrated Muslim youth in Europe? What makes a 22-year old university student from Leeds decide to take his own life together with the lives of many other chance passengers on the London subway? Why and when does violent rhetoric develop into violent action? What factors are involved when individuals reject political violence?

These are key questions in academic and political debates. Empirical knowledge is still limited, however, and no agreement exists regarding which theories are best to analyze the phenomenon.

We aim to contribute:

New empirical information and new analytical angles on three key questions within terrorism research: When, why and how do people become radicalized to the point of being willing to use violence against civilians in Europe?
Knowledge on how to counteract the factors and processes that lead to political violence.

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