Abstract
Globalization has become a profound and transformative force in modern societies. Increasing connectivity has disrupted traditional sociocultural ways of life while new cultural influences suggest new ways of living. The neoliberal underpinnings of globalization have exacerbated inequality and prioritized profit-seeking over environmental concerns. Accordingly, the negative consequences of globalization have challenged central human needs such as local embeddedness, contextual predictability, justice, security, and sense of safety. As a result, the overarching processes of globalization have given rise to perceptions of threats in different locations, triggering extreme psychological reactions that may manifest through violent means. Thus, violent extremism rooted in globalization emerges in response to increased feelings of uncertainty, insignificance, and injustice driven by accelerating connectivity. Whereas the manifestations of globalization-based violent extremism may vary in different contexts, a key characteristic is mutuality and interconnectedness. Events and ideas resonate across the globe, amplified within online echo chambers, leading to heightened polarization and enclave deliberation. To counteract globalization-based violent extremism, it is essential to foster a sense of stability and belonging and promote tolerance at the local level. Additionally, developing deliberative competencies to navigate the complexities of an increasingly plural and fluid world is crucial in mitigating the challenges posed by contemporary globalized connectivity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Cambridge Handbook of the Psychology of Violent Extremism |
| Editors | Milan Obaidi, Jonas Kunst |
| Publisher | Cambridge: Cambridge University Press |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 2024 |