Conflict, Violence, Terrorism, and their Prevention. Edited by J.M. Ramirez, C. Morrison & A.J. Kendall. © 2014 Cambridge Scholars Publishing (original) (raw)
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Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2012
Addressing political violence and terrorism from multiple analytical disciplinespsychology, anthropology, psychobiology, neurosciences, criminology, sociology, law, economics to name a few-has allowed us to broaden the horizons of knowledge about a phenomena of greatest impact on society today. In Colombia especially, an immense need has arisen to overcome reductionism in the interpretation of this problem, so that we can build real and novel pathways for peaceful solutions to the violence and war in Colombia. The 4th Annual CICA/STR International Conference was held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, November 18 through November 20, 2010. Colombia is a country mired in one of the most bloodcurdling phenomena of violence the world has seen in recent times. This conference will be an event of great relevance and meaning for Colombian researchers and organizations that are interested in the study of aggression and violence, and that want to generate peaceful solutions to the armed conflict within their nation. Under the management of IEPSIV (Colombia's Institute of Studies on Psychobiology and Intervention against Violence), and the leadership of Miguel Bettin, the conference left behind an important academic and strategic legacy which will help Colombia address its national problem of violence and war. Previous conferences held in Miraflores (Spain), Zakopane (Poland) and Belfast (Northern Ireland) generated advances in the understanding of aggression and violence through interchanges of experience among well-recognized researchers in the field from many countries.
The Cycle of Violence and Pathways to Peace
Organisational Transformation and …, 2009
This article analyzes inter-group conflict through the lens of Terror Management Theory and explains how belief systems can breed animosity and hostility towards those who do not share one’s beliefs. Research provides support converging with historical analyses suggesting that many of the same psychological mechanisms that lead terrorists to take aggressive actions may also motivate extreme counter-terrorist policies creating massive amounts of collateral damage. This collateral damage from violent counter-terrorist measures often intensifies the cycle of violence by assisting terrorists in recruiting support. Finally, recent research that provides hope for breaking the cycle of violence is presented.
Aggression, Political Violence, and Terrorism
2010
SPONSORS Scientific Sponsors CICA The Coloquios Internacionales sobre Cerebro y Agresión has promoted and supported a multidisciplinary understanding of conflict and aggression through international, residential colloquia on the relationship between the brain and the social context of aggression. Since 1983, with the first CICA in Seville, 25 scientific meetings have being held in several countries of Europe, Asia, America and Africa. (webpage: cicainternational.org) STR The Society for Terrorism Research was launched in mid-2006 as an international, multidisciplinary organization of theoretical and empirical researchers in the behavioral sciences. STR's mission is to enhance knowledge and understanding of terrorism through the integration of findings from the fields of anthropology, biology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, law and other behavioral sciences. (webpage: SocietyforTerrorismResearch.org) IEPSIV The Instituto de Estudios Psicobiosociales y de Intervención en Violencias develops research process oriented to elucidate elements and concepts of dynamic phenomena of political, family and social violence, from the interactional perspective of the psychological, biological and sociological, and how to carry out actions to prevent violence, psychotherapeutic and pedagogical treatment for victims, and intervention of conflicting processes in search of peace. (Webpage: iepsiv.org) FUNDASUPERIOR The Fundación Superior para el Desarrollo Integral is an educational and social management institution, that with proven experience of eleven (11) years, locally and nationally, in the design, organization, implementation and monitoring of training events on various topics, in project development and research consulting and development projects with high social impact.
Terrorism, Violence, and Politics
The purpose of this course is twofold-to learn about the academic literature on terrorism and to spur new ideas about how to enhance it. Substantively, we will focus on answering three unresolved questions about terrorism: (1) What are its consequences? (2) What are its causes? (3) What are the implications for counterterrorism strategy?
Violence and terrorism in the Middle East
Recently, there has been a lot of debate on whether Islam is similar or different from other religions regarding the potential to incite violence/terrorism. Some researchers claim that Islam as a religion may not incite violence and/or terrorism any more than other mainstream religions, and refer to the fact that the majority of Muslims are peaceful. Others suggest that the majority of recent terrorist attacks are committed by certain groups of Islamic fundamentalists known as Salafi Jihadists and violent aggression including terrorist attacks is more common in parts of the world where Salafi Muslims live, such as in the Middle East. A third group explains that many areas in the Middle East have been impacted by sociopolitical conflict, war and failed states thus making them vulnerable for terrorism; therefore the association with Islamic fundamentalism is only secondary to geopolitical issues. This article examines some of the common beliefs among Islamic fundamentalists in order to demonstrate if and how aggression may be incited and aggressive violence including terrorism be justified in this worldview. It is demonstrated how a strict emphasis on pure monotheism (tawheed), sovereignty of God (hakimiyyat), a belief in God's omniscience (ilm) and predestination (qadar), emphasis on right 'intentions' (niyyah) rather than right actions, and unequal treatment of humans based on religious beliefs are 'risk factors' that may incline some salafi (fundamentalist) Muslims towards jihadism. The article concludes by suggesting awareness programs to help reform the philosophical worldview of Salafi communities by focusing on the value of life and Islamic humanism.
Conflict and Countering Violent Extremism: Case Studies
2015
This material has been funded by UK aid from the UK government; however the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government's official policies. General Introduction This paper is part of a research project commissioned by DFID in June 2015 on the relationship between Islamist violent extremism and conflict. The research question we were asked to investigate was: What is distinctive about violent Islamist extremism in conflict situations, and what features does it share with other ideologies or movements involved in conflicts? This paper considers the question in three country case studies: Kenya, Nigeria, and Syria/Iraq. The countries were selected by DFID and other UK government experts at a meeting in June 2015. The method used in the analysis is comparative. We set out to compare Islamist and non-Islamist groups, focusing particularly on how they have influenced and been influenced by conflicts. In the case of Syria/Iraq, and at the request of DFID experts, we compared different Islamist groups, including Shia ones, rather than (as we originally proposed) to compare a secular and Islamist group. This reflects the nature of the Syrian and Iraqi civil wars, as well as British governmental priorities. We also feel that this approach has been of analytical benefit, as it has demonstrated the differences among Islamist groups in conflict situations. Each case study follows a similar structure to facilitate comparisons. It sets out the background to the conflict and the main groups involved in it, then examines the aims and objectives of the groups, the drivers and enablers for radicalisation and recruitment, how the groups have interacted with conflict, and implications for interventions. Conclusions summarise, amongst other points, what we believe makes IVE groups different from others in conflict situations. At the end of the report is a summary table setting out the characteristics of the groups we have considered. This paper has been informed by the findings of our literature review, and its conclusions are reflected in our paper on the implications of this research. They are also summarised in the executive summary which accompanies this report.
The course aims at presenting various approaches to explain reasons for violent conflict. It focuses on social and political violence, and their short and long-term effects on social development. The topics covered address why and how people turn to violence. They provide a map to conflicts and wars nationally and internationally. The course examines diverse research traditions to comprehend violence in a critical way. It looks at ideologies, social groups and social organizations that nurture the participation of individuals in violent actions. There will be two primary traditions that will be focused on; the first focuses on the “conditions” under which conflicts are produced and the second emphasizes the “attitudes” motivating individuals to engage in conflict. As each tradition possesses its own vocabulary, theoretical distinctions will aim at providing students with a broad spectrum of tools to comprehend the complex, paradoxical relationship between humans and war and violence. For example, though most world nations have ratified the International Bill of Human Rights, intra-state conflicts are an enduring reality.
Combatting Terrorist Violence - Changing the Narrative
2016
There are numerous definitions of terrorism. The definition is often refined by the agency that is using it as well as the audience to which the discussion is directed. But before we attempt to define terrorism, I want to raise the issue of terminology. An ‘ism’ is usually a belief system, such as Sufism, communism, extremism and so on. The way that we frame a discussion and the terms that we use Important in guiding – and in some cases – prejudicing the entire discussion. Instead of describing "terrorism" , this article focuses on the acts that are created by terrorists. If we can't eliminate the "ism", we can reduce the frequency and impact of the act.
Education As A Factor in Countering Violent Extermism
2019
The approach to Countering violent extremism (CVE) through education is reflective of a more extensive global move toward countering extremism, and endeavors to address the environment conducive for extremists to spread their belief systems and recruit supporters. Education can be manipulated and exploited by groups to justify their ideology and radicalize youths. Education can also play a role in de-radicalizing youths and progressively, governments in conflict-affected States are keen on financing measures that counter violent extremism as a major aspect of education programs. However, the term “violent extremism” comes up short on an explicit definition thus presenting a major challenge for researchers. Besides, there is minimal proof to exhibit the viability of CVE programs that work reliably and crosswise over various settings, as the underlying drivers of violent extremism are inadequately comprehended. The paper will therefore attempt to comprehend what is implied by 'violent extremism' in its present context. It will provide the development of the reasoning behind the main drivers of Violent Extremism in the course of the recent decade and, depict the kinds of education mediations that are supported as a feature of its endeavors to avert Violent Extremism. The paper will likewise inspect accessible proof from assessments of CVE programs that have been done to more readily comprehend the effects such projects have had. Keywords: Conflict, Education, Radicalization, Violent Extremism(VE).