ABSTRACT
Non-violent extremism is still a terra-incognita, an emerging niche of literature across several disciplines including security studies, sociology and criminology. Although relevant scholarship would concur on the importance of ideologies in shaping human behaviour and (criminal) actions, the focus is still on actions when exploring issues related to extremism. The latter is also a very problematic term, often over-used in contemporary academic and political debates, associated with radicalisation and terrorism. Although radicalisation, extremism and terrorism are not synonyms and present important differences, they are often used interchangeably. This Handbook stands as important contribution to explore non-violent extremism vis-à-vis radicalisation and terrorism, across different ideologies around the world. This chapter draws together the Handbook’s key findings, lessons and research agendas going forward when studying (non-violent) extremism. It provides an analysis of the mobilisation strategies enacted by non-violent extremist actors surveyed in the Handbook, the structure of ideologically discreet narratives propagated by such groups and the similarities and differences therein. The chapter then turns to several lessons learnt – including the complicated relationship between violence and non-violence, the importance of a comprehensive, global approach, barriers to violence and the post-organisational nature of a lot of the group’s surveyed. Finally, the chapter concludes by looking forward – enumerating the methodological, empirical and multidisciplinary approach needed in order to shine a light on activist pathways, movement development and how such groups transform the dynamic of contention within their relevant local and international geographical spheres of activism.
