ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF RIGHT WING EXTREMIST ORGANIZATION PROPAGANDA ON RADICALIZATION AND SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC POLITICAL VIOLENCE AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH MILITARY SERVICE
Abstract
This study investigates the factors associated with the appeal of right-wing extremist organizations (REOs) and domestic political violence among Americans with military experience. Despite vast attention paid to international terrorist recruitment propaganda, there is a gap in empirical research on how and why online videos inspire and mobilize new individuals to domestic terrorism. To understand the role of REO messaging and the unique contribution of military experience and risk factors for radicalization, we will conduct a survey study. The study will field the survey through the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago on a representative sample of 800 American adults with military experience (active-duty members and veterans) under the age of 61 and a matched sample of 800 American adults without military experience (total N=1,600). The survey has two components. First, it will determine the baseline support for REOs and the distribution of common risk factors for radicalization such as ideological and behavioral predispositions, mission stress and trauma during military service; reintegration stress after military service; and social networks of close friends. Second, the survey will use an experiment to measure the impact of different video appeals to join REOs and-or participate in domestic political violence in the population with military experience using non-military population as a control. This project will identify risk factors and vulnerable sub-populations among individuals with military service and provide valuable diagnosis of the relationship between US military service and militant group recruitment, which will be useful for DoD messaging, counter-messaging, and other policies aimed at countering violent extremism
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502210256
Entities
People
- Robert Pape
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Chicago