1. The Social Construction of "Extremism" and Power Dynamics

Extremism is not an objective psychological state but a label defined by its distance from a shifting "social consensus" or the "ordinary". In conflict settings, dominant power groups frequently label the direct, episodic violence of low-power groups (e.g., suicide bombings) as "extreme" while framing their own structural or institutionalized violence (e.g., state-sanctioned torture or "shock and awe") as normative defense. From a socialist framework, true democratic participation is often blocked for marginalized groups, leading them to adopt "extreme" measures as a perceived rational strategy in a game of power.

2. The Mechanics of the Radicalization Pathway

Radicalization is a non-linear process driven by personal and social vulnerabilities rather than inherent ment ...