Common Themes in Violent Extremist Ideologies
Are there common structures or patterns to violent extremist ideologies, even when the content of the beliefs is dramatically different? Social and political scientists have explored elements of this question for decades using a variety of different methods. And the method does seem to matter. Several years ago, I tried to identify such overarching ideological patterns – not as a social science theory – but just as teaching tool for state and local law enforcement personnel, to help make the point that understanding extremists is not only about knowing what they purport think or believe (or inferring motive from such statements), but knowing how those ideologies develop and facilitate (or inhibit
