Linda Bishai, director of ABA ROLI’s Research, Evaluation, and Learning, along with co-author Lauren Van Metre of National Democratic Institute (NDI), examines the proliferation of violent extremism in a recent Just Security article titled: “Why Violent Extremism Still Spreads.” Focal to the article is the prevalence of “state predation and marginalization that drives desperate citizens” to engage in violent extremism. As Bishai and Van Metre note, state predation involves the institutional deprivation of citizens’ needs; it denies citizens’ avenues of “public participation and expression,” and often paves a pathway for the exploitation of state security forces. Faced with a lack of opportunities in their society, individuals turn to violent extremism as a dangerous remedy for a variety of their complex needs.
In the article, Bishai and Van Metre note that the factors associated with the increase of violent extremism in Kenya - state corruption and predation - can be identified in other countries faced with the issue. To address this multifaceted challenge, the authors call for an approach that “reframes” the problem. Their recommendations recognize the interrelated nature of “holding power and money accountable” both in the United States, as well as around the world. Additionally, several other factors play an important role in a “reframed” approach, such as: financial inclusion, effective physical and cyber security, and the dismantlement of the mechanisms that exploit and drive citizens to violent extremism. Learn more by reading the full article here.
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