Islamist Militancy in Bangladesh: A Pyramid Root Cause Model

This book investigates the causes and consequences of radicalization in Bangladesh, focusing on the role of ideology and the exploitation of religious beliefs by organizations like the Islamic State and Al Qaeda. It offers a 'Pyramid Root Cause model' to explain the phenomenon.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 03 September 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate dynamics of radicalization, exploring not only its underlying causes but also its evolution since 2009, based on an extensive review of relevant literature and two in-depth fieldwork experiences in Bangladesh. Conducting 71 in-depth interviews with highly credentialed individuals, the book seeks to understand the factors that have driven young Bangladeshis, many of whom come from relatively well-educated backgrounds, to embrace religious extremism and eventually resort to terrorism.

The author argues that ideology plays a central role in the radicalization process, providing justification for violence. It is believed that ideology offers solutions to the micro and macrocauses of common youth disaffection.

The book primarily focuses on the Islamic State and Al Qaeda's exploitation of religious beliefs and their creation of a mobilizing, apocalyptic narrative that resonates with young, middle-class Muslims. These organizations actively target these individuals for recruitment.

The book concludes with a 'Pyramid Root Cause model,' which aims to tie together all the causative variables of radicalization into a cohesive explanation of the recent events in Bangladesh over the past decade. This model provides valuable insights for scholars of political Islam, international politics, and security studies, particularly those interested in terrorism and the politics of South Asia.

Weight: 293g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030791735
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021