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Scott Probst asks the timely question … Is there any such thing as ‘radicalisation” ?
These days in Australia we hear a lot about ‘radicalisation.’ This is supposedly a process where bad people, mostly outsiders on the internet from the Middle East, get into the ears of innocent young locals and turn them into bloodthirsty marauders who want to go into the streets of Australia, or the war in Syria, and murder others.
This does not seem to be a realistic description of what happens, for a few reasons.
First, the only way that these online extremists can come into contact with the young person via the internet is for the young person to search for them, or open a link they have been sent by someone else. The extremist cannot just broadcast into their phone or computer without any warning.
Second, the young person, for some reason or more than one reason, must be receptive to what they see and hear. Why would this be so? There are a number of obvious possibilities:
- they are alienated in some way – isolated socially or physically
- from a minority group
- unemployed or with poor job prospects
- social and educational disadvantage
- mental health issues such as depression
- drug use, leading to destabilised behaviour
Some of these issues have great relevance to young people. For example, a substantial percentage of young people suffer some form of significant mental health challenge at some point in their lives. Some estimates of this range to above 30%. Mental health services for young people are well documented to be insufficient, particularly in socially disadvantaged areas. Drug experimentation is common amongst young people, often leading to social and educational problems. The punitive/law and order response to this, rather than health-based response, leads to under reporting and surreptitious use, preventing this issue from being properly addressed.
Poor education also must be a risk factor amongst youth; education is chronically underfunded in Australia and recent political issues mean that this will get much worse in the future rather than better.
Migrant communities are commonly poorly connected to the rest of our culture. Recent political responses to multiculturalism, refugee issues and terrorism threats have only reinforced this isolation and made a number of ethnic communities feel mistrusted and this further alienates them.
All these conditions predispose the young people to listen to simplistic messages that tell them how to give meaning to their lives or right injustice, or take revenge on the people who have caused their problems. Added to this is the apparent romance of fighting for a cause and being part of a brotherhood – aspects which are only emphasised in recent celebrations of ANZAC day in Australia and repetitive message about the ‘glory of mateship in war’ and similar ideals.
Don’t forget, Australia itself has a long tradition of young men going to fight in foreign wars, from the Sudan in the late 1800s, to the Maori War in New Zealand, the Boer War, WWI and so on.
Combined together, all these factors are a heady mix of ‘pull factors’ for young, somehow disaffected or romantically inclined men who want to prove themselves, to go to a war in a far part of the world to fight for a cause, no matter how misrepresented or manipulative.
Rather than make more noise about radicalisation, we should pay more attention to the ways our young people are driven to make this leap.
gerard oosterman said:
Don’t forget Howard was radicalised by Bush and went to war on the WMD that were non existent as Hans Blix and a couple of dozens of inspectors told the world many times over. Yet, Howard’s nationality was never taken away from him.
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algernon1 said:
I wouldn’t necessarily put mental health in the same list as the rest of those option. Mental health issues don’t discriminate. However I take your point.
Unfortunately we have country run by someone who is not a leader. Speaks in three word slogans and repeats himself. His hairy chested buffoonery only adds to the alienation many of these people face, but lets face it this buffoonery plays well to the lowest denominator.
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scott said:
Actually I think it’s one of the most important factors; it also interacts with the others. Being part of a wealthy family means you are more likely to receive help. Living, or being born into, an underpriveledged [?] community is also a matter of chance as far as the individual goes. My point is that all these things make a person vulnerable. What’s more, we can do something about all of these factors.
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algernon1 said:
Can’t really agree necessarily that coming from a wealthy family means that you’ll necessarily receive help. Mental health issues will affect 1:5 people in their lifetime and something like 2/3s of them don’t even realise they have an illness. I can only compare NSW with WA where the difference in chalk and cheese. In WA mental health care (particularly in the public sector) is virtually non existent. The big problem is to get help quickly normally means seeking out private help. To get into the public system (our experience was excellent) it almost needs a crisis.
Mental health issues plays into the mix I’ll agree.
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Big M said:
Poor Foodge was radicalised, over and over. Thankfully he has only joined the Seascouts, and the Jesmond Ladies Bowling Club, both times for the uniforms. In all seriousness, it is often pretty easy to track the progression from disenfranchised youth to freedom fighter, or knight errant, or whatever. Naturally this can be treated with going to prison for a cagillion years, or having one’s citizenship stripped away.
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vivienne29 said:
Exactly. But Abbott can’t look at anything logically, sanely and soberly.
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ngawangchogdrub said:
Thanks and it’s nice to be back.
I think most of the basic issues are very long standing and represent multiple failures in a number of policy areas. For example failure to address real taxation reform leaves us unable to fund mental health and education properly.
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vivienne29 said:
Pleased to meet you. Look forward to more commonsense.
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Big M said:
…or, uncommon sense!
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algernon1 said:
Speak for yourself Big M.😘
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ngawangchogdrub said:
thanks!
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Therese Trouserzoff said:
Welcome back, Scott. Many thanks, Emmjay.
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