One Size Does Not Fit All: The Challenge with Defining and Understanding Violent Extremism and Other Related Concepts

This paper concludes that there is an inherent bias in the existing definitions that also impacts policymaking and potentially adds to the troubles of the government affected by these phenomena. The paper calls for more support for local think-tanks to produce local knowledge on these concepts, in order to design better public policies for preventing and countering violent extremism.

This document was funded by the European Union’s Internal Security Fund — Police.

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