Emotions, Poverty, or Politics? Misconceptions about Islamist Movements

Abstract

In recent years violent movements in the name of Islam have been catapulted to center stage in U.S. foreign policy concerns. However, before concrete strategies can be formulated to deal with this phenomenon, the nature and dynamics of Islamist mobilization itself must be understood.1 What motivates an individual to join an Islamist group and possibly engage in violence? Under what conditions will these groups moderate their stances, and when will they radicalize? While our policy choices dealing with the Muslim world and international terrorism inevitably hinge on our answers to these questions, a serious application of theory has been lacking.2 Lessons culled from the study of contentious or claim-making politics provide valuable insight into unraveling the complicated political allegiances in the Muslim world and further contribute to the formulation of policy prescriptions to defuse Islamist movements’ violent manifestations. Social movement theory in particular demonstrates that local political inclusion can stimulate moderation, stemming the progression of militant Islamism in its infancy.