Socio-Economic Discrimination and Processes of Securitisation as Catalysts of Radicalisation among Franco-Maghrebis

Chaim E. Narang

doi:10.22599/ujpir.102

Abstract

In recent years, Western Europe has been gripped by a wave of terrorist attacks, perpetrators have been exclusively home-grown radicalised jihadists of European birth and nationality; a large proportion of which were of second or third generation North African (Maghrebi) origin. This emerging trend is placed into a wider continuation of historical susceptibilities among Maghrebis and their link to ethno-political and religious radicalisation and in some cases, transnational terrorism and Jihadism. This study examines how disproportionate socio-economic discrimination coupled with securitised media portrayals and domestic political debates have acted as radicalisation catalysts of this diaspora present in abundance across France and other EU member-states. This body of research also considers the impact and relevance of emerging geo-political influences such as a resurgent French far-right and a shift in modern jihadist narratives. This shift from direct to structural violence has enabled a renewed ideological penetration and tangible resonance among Europe’s Muslims of immigrant origin; many of whom reside within impoverished and disadvantaged urban peripheries. Susceptibility to radical narratives arising from the converging dilemmas of deprivation, discrimination and grievance have formed the basis for one of the most pressing threats to international security and social wellbeing for generations.

Highlights

In recent years, Jihadist terrorism has become increasingly planned and operationalised by closed Islamist networks based in European states
Multiple push and pull factors have been attributed to the radicalisation process, this investigation extends beyond the common refrain extremist religious thought and practice; instead focusing on a dyad of experiences: First, socio-economic discrimination within housing, employment and income, second a process of securitisation within French political rhetoric and media discourse
This study sought to account as to why the radicalisation of Franco-Maghrebis has been so prevalent over recent years

Summary

Introduction

Jihadist terrorism has become increasingly planned and operationalised by closed Islamist networks based in European states. Expert on disadvantaged urban localities, Cecilia Eseverri-Mayer contends arguments that seek to claim violence in Parisian suburbs is the result of lack of cultural assimilation and authority are reductionist and negate the complexity of the banlieues which are affected by issues such as: ‘the poor accessibility of young people to the labour market and the existence of covert mechanisms of discrimination, social and ethnic segregation that makes for permanent social inequality’ (2007: 194). Khosrokhavar (2015) identifies commonalties among the perpetrators of recent attacks in France, arguing they are from ‘the French poor suburbs, the so-called banlieues, where there is a concentration of populations mostly of North African origins, with a higher rate of joblessness and criminality, and a deeply antagonistic attitude of its male youth towards the rest of the society.’. This culture ensures, maintains and enables a view of Franco-Maghrebis in which they marked by suspicion, mistrust and a question concerning their ethnoreligious and nationalistic loyalties

Conclusion

Findings

25 Male Algerian- Moroccan 3rd