Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-cfpbc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T21:59:00.643Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

4 - Fighting on the Path of Allah

Joining Islamic Extremism from the Far Right and Far Left

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 November 2021

Daniel Koehler
Affiliation:
German Institute on Radicalization and De-Radicalization Studies (GIRDS)
Get access

Summary

This chapter focuses on defectors to the far-left ideological spectrum of extremist milieus, for example, anti-fascist groups, anarchism, or communism. The case studies and storylines presented here belong to individuals who were active as right-wing extremists or even terrorists before they made the transition to the extreme left. In most cases, this transition is explained by frustrating and disillusioning experiences within the far-right environment, especiallydysfunctional and toxic relationships with other members. A feeling of guilt and shame moved these side-switchers to attempt to make good on their former errors and assist left-wing groups in destroying the far right. Another set of motives belongs to the category of anti-establishment and ant-imperialism. Some switchers began feel that the struggle for a strong nation culminates in liberation from so-called imperialist capitalism.

Type
Chapter
Information
From Traitor to Zealot
Exploring the Phenomenon of Side-Switching in Extremism and Terrorism
, pp. 144 - 200
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×