Theories Of Radicalization

Ideology is not given at birth. It builds on unique ideas and experiences, giving an individual the lenses that are necessary to see a conspiracy as true. Conspiracy theories act as a vital mechanism for radicalization because it brings belief to a reality making it an integral part of the process. There are three necessary mechanisms to radicalization into an extremist group, them being; potential, just reasoning, and belief. These three mechanisms are necessary for radicalizing an individual to violence. The process can happen in any order, however the three main components are; the display of potential which is found during recruitment, an ideology which brings definitions, and finally conspiracy theories which turns belief into a reality.
Since the goal of a terrorist group is violence and they have risk of infiltration by law enforcement, they look for both proof of commitment and potential to commit violence through signaling. A signal has to be both reliable and hard to imitate. Recruiters have barriers in place that insure cost-discriminating signs of trustworthiness (Hegghammer 2012). An individual that is truly in the process of radicalization will be willing to send signals that show both a high potential for violence and commitment, proving that the benefits of the organization outweigh the cost (Densley 2012). Signals do not have to be directed to a specific recruiter, rather, they are directed to a specific ideology. An individual that is willing to cut someone's head off in the name of the jihad or tattoo their face with a swastika for white supremacy has shown a non-mimicable, highly trustworthy sign of commitment, and has finished a key aspect of radicalization. Any individual can have potential, however those going through the radicalization process show
The belief in conspiracy theories do not come from ignorance, but rather a willingness to believe in other unseen, intentional forces (Barlet et al 2916). Conspiracy theories act as a confirmation to an extremist ideology that has truly been ingrained into someone. They play a vital role in making ideology and violence a real world necessity because it labels the actions of a target as guilty further justifying the act of terror. It is important to note that the majority of people that believe in conspiracy theories do not come to violence, that is why all three mechanisms are necessary for radicalization into a terrorist organization. An ideology gives you the lenses in which you view the world and gives you the ability to see the unseen while potential to commit violence signals your commitment