ABSTRACT
Using empirical data from fieldwork conducted in the form of interviews with key policy-makers and practitioners working in the field of de-radicalisation, the analysis will argue that de-radicalisation as a conceptual framework in the UK counter-terrorism strategy is confusing and misleading, resulting in multiple understandings of de-radicalisation. This chapter provides a cursory overview of de-radicalisation programmes as well as the literature on de-radicalisation in order to provide context to this investigation. It highlights some brief findings from the empirical field data and assesses some of the salient implications for conceptual understanding of de-radicalisation. De-radicalisation is an instrument of counter-terrorism policy that, in theory, is designed to provide the police and policy-makers with a more selective, targeted and structured approach to tackling the threat of terrorism. The chapter concludes by suggesting that a deeper examination of policy-makers' understanding of de-radicalisation and its relationship to counter-radicalisation indicates wider challenges for the field of counter-terrorism moving forwards.
