Violent Radicalization

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to define the concept of violent radicalization with the following objectives: the determination of the dimensions that comprise it, its differentiation from other terms such as violent extremism and terrorism and the description of the main approaches employed in studying the phenomena. Violent radicalization is a process that involves the legitimization or assumption of violence as a mechanism for achieving political, social, religious, or other objectives. As a socio-political issue, it is highly complex due to its scope, the impacts it generates, as well as the institutional architecture that must be deployed in order to intervene. Its inclusion on the public agenda is associated with terrorism, but it is in itself a threat to democratic societies because of the impact it has on coexistence and related issues such as political polarization. Its prevention is essential to contain the risk of social conflict and, ultimately, to prevent terrorism and political violence.