A Sociological Approach to the Process of Extremist Radicalization in Islamism: The Need for Indicators

Abstract

This paper examines the factors connected with the Islamic radicalization process looking at three categories of indicators, psychological, meso-sociological and macro-sociological ones, in order to underline the need for designing early prevention and identification mechanisms. The proposal that this mechanisms should be at the heart of the public policies to combat Islamic terrorism within the Spanish territory is one of the underlying assumptions from which this study have been undertaken. Defense policies are crucial, yet, when implemented without a profound understanding of the phenomenon being faced, might generate greater threats in the long terms. Provided that jihadist terrorists constitute a global reticular network, the sociological sight which illumines the whole paper, despite being underpinned in Spain, will draw on insights produced abroad.