Much of the language used to describe violent extremism is highly politicized and vague in meaning.  Though many of these terms do not capture every aspect of those who perpetrate violence, this literature review uses a few key words to address the motivations of violent actions.  In this case, terrorism is defined as the deployment of violence to intimidate the public.  In general, violent extremism is the form of political violence legitimated by extreme ideological views and beliefs. As used in this literature review, “violent extremism” stands for one of its specific aspects: Jihadi violence, which is not particular to one nation or ethnic group and uses fundamentalist interpretations of Islam in its ideology as justification for the use of violence.^[1]

Radicalization:

It is the adoption of beliefs that legitimate the adoption of extreme means in the achievement of certain goals. While the accepted view is that the wave of violence currently sweeping the Muslim world is a combination of ideological (specifically religiously based) violence with political aims, this literature review does not proceed on the assumption that fundamentalist Islam is a necessary precursor of violent behavior or its recruitment.  Instead, it acts only as a risk factor. However, involvement does not only mean perpetrating acts of terrorism, but can also include buying weapons, raising money, and recruiting other members. Disengagement means ending involvement with a violent extremist group.  It entails a distinct behavior change, choosing to stop committing acts of political and ideological violence. It differs significantly from de-radicalization, which is a change in beliefs and mindsets that motivate extremist violence, specifically the belief that divine law must be imposed on others to save the world from corruption.^[2]

De-radicalization:

A change in beliefs and mindsets that motivate extremist violence, specifically the belief that divine law must be imposed on others to save the world from corruption.[3] This term is an umbrella term that describes why an individual changes their behavior and their beliefs.

Disengagement:

Ending involvement with a violent extremist group. It entails a distinct behavior change, choosing to stop committing acts of political and ideological violence.[4] This term was selected because it is an understudied phenomenon in the Tunisian context and still allows the team to examine radicalization process and the exit process of violent extremism.

Insurgency:

A campaign of violence that specifically targets police and security forces in an attempt at rebellion. This term was added because the violence launched by violent extremist groups within Tunisia’s borders is best characterized as an insurgency aiming to erode the government’s influence in these areas.

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[1] Pillar, Paul R., “Jihadi Terrorism: A Global Assessment of the Threat,” in Jihadi terrorism and the Radicalisation Challenge, ed. Rik Coolsaet (Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2011), 7-17

[2] Horgan, John. “Disengagement, De-radicalization and the Arc of Terrorism,” in Jihadi terrorism and the Radicalisation Challenge, ed. Rik Coolsaet (Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2011), 173-186

[3] Horgan, John. “Disengagement, De-radicalization and the Arc of Terrorism,” in Jihadi terrorism and the Radicalisation Challenge, ed. Rik Coolsaet (Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2011), 173-186

[4] Horgan, John. “Disengagement, De-radicalization and the Arc of Terrorism,” in Jihadi terrorism and the Radicalisation Challenge, ed. Rik Coolsaet (Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2011), 173-186