Violent Extremism/Terrorism by Organized Groups

How to use this data visualization? Click on the nodes for more information. For more detailed information on risk and protective factors, explore the full tool here.

In both the academic and policy literature, the terms violent extremism and terrorism are often used interchangeably. There is also much debate as to the precise definitions of these terms and the extent to which they are conceptually distinct from other forms of armed conflict. The project does not attempt to define these terms but does distinguish between terrorism/violent extremism conducted by organized groups and violent-extremism/terrorism conducted by lone actors,

The tool on risk and protective factors provides information on three related aspects of violent extremism/terrorism by organized groups:

• The onset of violent extremism/terrorism;
• The spillover of violent extremism/terrorism into other countries; and
• Recruitment into violent extremist/terrorist groups.

More specifically, the tool examines the factors that make onset, spillover and recruitment related to intra-state armed conflict more likely (risk factors). The tool also examines the factors that make onset, spillover and recruitment related to intra-state armed conflict less likely (protective factors).

The risk and protective factors identified are taken from a review of the academic and policy literature. This literature covers a range of disciplines, including psychology, neuroscience, economics, technology, environment, security and rule of law. Some factors are relevant to individuals, while others apply to families, countries and transnational dynamics. Where possible, the risk and protective factors in the tool are also disaggregated by sex and age.

Practitioners and policymakers can search the tool in many different ways, according to their specific purposes. For e.g., practitioners can search for risk factors related to the onset of violent extremism/terrorism by organized groups. They can also search for specific keywords in relation to onset/spillover/recruitment. For e.g., how are social ties related to recruitment into violent extremist/terrorist groups, either as a risk or protective factor?

In some cases, the tool may point to the need for additional research on certain topics. The search results may also point to broad patterns that should be confirmed by more context specific analysis. International practitioners and policymakers could therefore use the tool in a participatory way, as a basis for discussion with national stakeholders.