Can education counter violent religious extremism?

Summary

Violent religious extremism is a global concern today. As governments prepare their counterterrorism policies, many focus solely on reactive measures such as military action and surveillance measures – hard power – that are responsive to individuals who are already radicalized. This paper argues that education should be incorporated into such policies as a preventive measure that not only makes students resilient citizens but can also address the psychological, emotional and intellectual appeal of narratives – soft power – that terrorists purport.

Keywords

education extremism religion violence; youth; pedagogy

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