- Oksana Belova-Dalton, University of Tartu: Analysis of the radicalisation process of Karen Drambjan – the attacker of Estonian Ministry of Defense in August 2011
- Kledian Myftari, University of Copenhagen/Charles University: Divergent paths of identity and extremism: A cross-cultural analysis of Kosovo and Albania
- Christopher Kehlet Ebbrecht, Leiden University: A social theory of grievances
- Milan Obaidi, University of Copenhagen: How do people end up in extreme situations? Personality predicts self-selection to extreme settings
Abstracts
Analysis of the radicalisation process of Karen Drambjan – the attacker of Estonian Ministry of Defense in August 2011
Oksana Belova-Dalton, University of Tartu
This presentation examines the process of radicalisation of Karen Drambjan – the perpetrator of the attack on Estonian Ministry of Defence in August 2011. Drawing on media coverage as well as the crinimal case file provided for research purposes by the Estonian Internal Security Service with prior removal of all personal data, the presentation analyses the attacker’s background, character, political views and activities, development of extremist mindset (Cassam, 2022), radicalisation as well as the planning and execution of the attack. The accounts of radicalisation by Feddes and colleagues (2020) and Quassim Cassam (2022) appear the most suitable for analysing Drambjan’s case, as there is no environment conducive to extremism (e.g., Bouhana, 2019) in Estonia. The presentation concludes that, in the Estonian context, Russian hostile influencing operations and psychological traumas are important factors conducive to radicalisation, while economic and health concerns serve as the triggering causes for the attack.
Divergent paths of identity and extremism: A cross-cultural analysis of Kosovo and Albania
Kledian Myftari, University of Copenhagen/Charles University
This paper examines the complex interplay of ethnic and religious identities in Kosovo and Albania, assessing their distinct influences on Islamist radicalization levels. Integrating perspectives from security studies, history, culture, and psychology, this research provides an in-depth exploration of identity dynamics and their link to the radicalization process. Through a mixed-methods approach, including 40 semi-structured interviews and ethnographic practices, it investigates how these diverse identities interact and potentially contribute to radicalization. The study uncovers a marked contrast: Albanian national identity, steeped in ethnic pride and the concept of ‘Albanianism,’ seems to mitigate radical tendencies, while Kosovo’s stronger Islamic identification correlates with increased radicalization. The results affirm Kosovo’s complex societal fabric, rich in ethnic and ideological diversity. The paper draws on theories of collective identity, contact hypothesis, and common ingroup identity to understand the roots of radicalization, highlighting identity formation, social influence, and group dynamics as key drivers in this process. The implications are far-reaching, offering insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers engaged in counter-radicalization, promoting social cohesion, and crafting inclusive narratives. This study underscores the importance of engaging with the multifarious identities within these nations to grasp the nuanced forces that shape radicalization
A social theory of grievances – Misrecognition as the motivational impetus behind violent radicalization
Christopher Kehlet Ebbrecht, Leiden University
One of the most common denominators of violent radicalization is that of a grievance, that is, the subjective perception of having been personally or collectively wronged, humiliated or done injustice to, involving feelings of anger and hatred, which fuel a desire for justice or revenge against one’s alleged perpetrators. However, it remains unclear exactly how grievances are formed, and by which mechanisms they motivate violent action. This paper argues that these questions can be partially answered by integrating the grievance concept within Axel Honneth’s theory of recognition. The overall claim is that at least some grievances can develop out of one or more forms of intersubjective misrecognition that erodes individual feelings of self-worth, which in turn serves as affective markers of injustice that motivate a struggle for existence through the act of public mass violence. The implications of this social theory of grievances is that prevention and countering of violent radicalization should rest upon emancipatory policies building on principles of recognition, which enable vulnerable individuals with the non-violent and pro-social means of relating to themselves in a manner that fosters a sense of worth.
How do people end up in extreme situations? Personality predicts self-selection to extreme settings
Milan Obaidi, University of Copenhagen, Robin Berg & Nazar Akrami, Uppsala University
This research investigates the connection between personality traits and individual tendencies to choose extreme environments and the endorsement of extremist violent intentions. Moving beyond the traditional focus on situational factors, our study examines the impact of personality traits. Through two pre-registered experiments, one involving a representative sample, with diverse groups, we explore how certain traits influence the choice of aggressive intergroup settings and the endorsement of violent extremist intentions.
Our study, examining both Muslim and non-Muslim populations, challenges stereotypes linking right-wing violent extremism to personality traits and Jihadist extremism to culture or religion. We find that the root causes of violent extremism, regardless of its type, may be traced back to individual personality traits. Initial results indicate that individuals who are more rigid in their beliefs (dogmatic), less open to new experiences, less likely to feel negative emotions, and who prefer hierarchical group relations, are more likely to choose environments that permit aggressive behavior and also more prone to endorse violence on behalf of their group. Our study enhances understanding of the factors driving participation in extreme settings and the development of extremist intentions, emphasizing the importance of considering personality traits alongside situational factors.