Abstract:
There is a considerable concern among stakeholders and civil society at large at the rise of violent radicalization and associated acts of terrorism. The Pew Survey of 2013 showed that 93 per cent of Pakistanis surveyed, thought terrorism was a very big problem only to be topped by fear of crime at 95 per cent. It should be recognized that the security oriented approaches, like military operations deal with the problem superficially and if the root causes are not addressed then the problem of violent radicalization re-emerges, perhaps as a different phenomenon. There is a concern that if cultural variables that underpin violent radicalization are not accounted for, the danger for slippage back into violence remains higher all the time. This paper attempts to study the local context that appears important in explaining the paradox why certain areas promote violent radicalization and other areas demonstrate greater social resilience and resistance to violence.
