Why People Radicalize

This study is a great contribution to the field, as it offers a very sharp and distinctive focus to the restive debate on radicalization, deradicalization and terrorism. With his emphasis on experiences of injustice, Van den Bos takes the radicalized subject and his/her discourse and motivations seriously. This is a welcome addition to the highly fragmented and specialized debate. The style and the argument of this book are very elegant and convincing. --Beatrice de Graaf, Chair of History of International Relations and Global Governance, Utrecht University This book is an exhaustive and scholarly account of the psychology of radicalization and destructive extremism. A tour de force--engagingly written and accessible to all who want to understand the why, how and what can be done about this terrible global blight. --Michael Hogg, Professor of Social Psychology, Claremont Graduate University Kees van den Bos offers the most comprehensive to date discussion of radicalization, its psychological and realistic determinants, and its multiple facets. This volume is a must read for all those working in the domain of violent extremism. A truly important accomplishment. --Arie Kruglanski, Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, University of Maryland Why People Radicalize is a masterful analysis of how fundamental social psychological processes cause people to adopt radical beliefs and engage in radical actions. For anyone who wants to understand the psychological forces that threaten the fabric of modern societies this book is a must read! --Allan Lind, James L. Vincent Distinguished Professor of Leadership at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University There is surely no more central question in the 21st century than why people radicalize and become willing to engage in violence toward innocent people. In this timely book, Kees van den Bos identifies perceived unfairness as central to radicalization. He makes his case through a thorough and wide-ranging examination of theory, empirical research and real world case studies. Anyone who wants to understand why radicalism develops and how to combat it needs to read this book. --Tom Tyler, Macklin Fleming Professor of Law and Professor of Psychology, Yale University