Europe and the muslims: Debating the foundations of state policy

Abstract

This article discusses theoretical issues behind the current shift in the policy of European states towards Islamic communities. The shift is driven by the idea that the values of political Islam are incompatible with Western values; that the main driver behind radicalization is ideology and that even non-violent Islamists gradually prepare the Muslim youth to embracing violence. Based on current academic discussions as well as the results of the author's own research, the author concludes that the opponents of these ideas have serious counterarguments. In their views, radicalization can be explained by a wide range of different factors. Violent and non-violent Islamists compete for the audience, and therefore, not only can non-violent Islamists embrace jihadist views but also, vice versa, some jihadists can change their position to non-violence. Moreover, Muslim values, as well as those of the Islamists, are not necessarily antagonistic in all their aspects with the values of Western democracies. Various theoretical approaches form the basis for an alternative program of practical measures that could be implemented in the future.