Countering Extremism: An Understanding of the Problem, the Process and Some Solutions

Abstract

This thesis proposes a framework for analyzing an individual's path to violent extremism. The CITIG framework (crisis, identity, ties, indoctrination, and grievances) offers a four-stage process of radicalization that begins with a personal crisis (Stage One), the construction of a new identity (Stage Two), activism (Stage Three), and the preparation and execution of a criminal or violent attack (Stage Four). This thesis begins by offering working definitions of key terms, and then uses the proposed CITIG framework along with the Violent Extremist Risk Assessment instrument to analyze four U.S.-based case studies: two examples of Islamic-inspired violent extremism, one case of white-supremacist violence, and one of eco-extremism. These cases further refine the proposed framework and reveal a three-pillar approach for countering extremism: prevention, intervention and interdiction.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2015
Accession Number
ADA632464

Entities

People

  • Christopher Haynes
  • Joshua Mangas

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil Rights
  • Crime
  • Criminals
  • Demography
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Human Population
  • Interagency Coordination
  • National Security
  • Online Communications
  • Psychology
  • Social Media
  • Social Psychology
  • Societies
  • Sociology
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • Violence

Readers

  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Systems Analysis and Design