Radicalisation of diaspora communities (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1187)

What factors (including host and home country factors) influence the radicalisation or deradicalisation of diaspora communities?

Abstract

Query

What factors (including host and home country factors) influence the radicalisation or deradicalisation of diaspora communities?

Overview

This report looks at factors that can help to explain why diasporas may become radicalised and explores briefly efforts at deradicalisation. Diaspora identities are inherently hybrid, reflecting continued attachment or connection to the country of origin alongside adoption of elements from the host country. There can be a high level of diversity within the diaspora and within specific diaspora communities. The majority of research on radicalisation of diasporas to date has focused narrowly on Muslim radicals and extremists, despite the presence of other radical groups (Parent and Ellis, 2011). As such, this report reflects this focus. Most studies also centre on radicalisation and recruitment processes, while studies on deradicalisation and counter-radicalisation are fewer and of more recent origin (Schmid, 2013). In addition, there is little empirical evidence on the actual processes of radicalisation (Bigo et al., 2014). Much of the literature emphasises that radicalisation cannot be attributed to any one factor, but is rather the outcome of a multiplicity of factors.

Citation

Haider, H. Radicalisation of diaspora communities (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1187). Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK (2015) 14 pp.

Radicalisation of diaspora communities (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1187)

Updates to this page

Published 1 January 2015