Pathways of radicalization: contrasting the Boston Marathon Bombers and Mohamad Merah

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper will evaluate two acts of terrorism: the Toulouse and Montauban Terror Attack of 2012 and the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing. While a great deal of discussion has centered on these isolated attacks, limited research has bridged a comparison of these events and the pathways of radicalization. This study will integrate three criminological theories to explain why these atrocities were committed. First, using Social Learning Theory, the study will show that Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, known as the Boston Marathon Bombers, as well as Mohamed Merah, the individual responsible for the Toulouse and Montauban Terror Attacks, learned terror-related techniques from social and non-social sources. Second, Strain Theory will be incorporated into the discussion. Here, the blockage of goals, the removal of positive stimuli, the presentation of negative stimuli, and the inability to cope to these changes played an important role in the radicalization process of these individuals as well. Finally, Social Bond Theory will be utilized to illustrate that Mohamed Merah and the Tsarnaev Brothers had weak social bonds to their family, self, and community. This contributed to their radicalization and their motive to inflict harm.