NYPD Radicalization Report-Executive Summary
NYPD has attempted to prove the statement that homegrown radicalization that stems from the ideology of Jihad and jihadi-Salafi ideology is the essential factor in promoting unprecedented modern terrorism in the West. The paper states al-Qaida as the primary source of inspiration for getting people involved in terrorist attacks via radicalization. The research paper emphasizes that radicalization is done through an effective channel and individuals are radicalized through different phases such as “pre-radicalization, self-identification, indoctrination and jihadization” (Silber & Bhatt, 2006, p. 6).
The research paper has used three US homegrown terrorism cases and two New York City based cases to back up the research question. The cases include Lackawna, Portland, Northern Virginia, New York City- Herald Square Subway and New York City - the Al Muhajiroun Two (Silber & Bhatt, 2006). The research paper is very efficient in its articulation of arguments through qualitative method. The paper primarily focuses on the existing data collected from these US homegrown terrorism cases and compares these case studies to come up with the basic factors of radicalization of the youngsters in the West.
The findings of the paper are highly supported by the data and the research paper presented in the research paper. The research paper concludes that the fundamental reason for involving young people into terrorism as their search for an identity and they find it in the Islamic tradition. The western-based individuals do not become terrorists because of oppression, revenge, suffering and desperation but because of their failure to integrate into the Western society. The paper also emphasizes that there is a high trend in the Western-based individual to embrace the jihadi- Salafi ideology that would lead them to become radicalized (Silber & Bhatt, 2006).
DHS Right-wing Extremism report
This research paper revolves around the argument that “some economic and political factors are driving the resurgence in rightwing extremist recruitment and radicalization activity” (DHS, 2009, p. 3). The paper focuses the selection of an African-American as president of the United States as the political factor that would ignite the rightwing extremism. The white supremacist sees the selection of an African American as the president of US as a threat to the White supremacy. They will use it as a tool to recruit new members and mobilize existing supporters. However, the DHS Rightwing Extremism report reveals that there is no evidence of breaking out the rightwing extremism but if it happens it would be because of the economic downfall and enhancement in unemployment.
The paper deeply investigates concentrating on various plausible factors that may cause to raise the rightwing extremist by using qualitative research methodology. The qualitative method is used to collect data for accomplishing this research, and the data has been collected from secondary sources. To find the reasons for raising the rightwing extremist, this paper investigates the history of the rightwing extremist activities.
The paper has used (U/UFOUO) as a major secondary source to support its assertion of the possibility of outbreaking rightwing extremism because of economic and political factors. Illegal immigration, economic hardship and the legislation over controlling rent gun are the factors that would contribute to the rightwing extremism. The conclusion of the paper and analysis are supported by the data and research papers presented in the report and therefore, the paper is efficient in its analysis. The report has used existing data and research papers to support its research question (DHS, 2009).
Compare and Contrast
The research paper by NYPD provides the best analysis by placing its analysis on realist grounds. The analysis of the paper is highly related to the research paper and data used in the paper, and the analysis is by the current circumstances faced by the West. The papers are very much similar in their investigation of the research questions and the collection of data from various sources for the sake of supporting their claims. Both papers have used the qualitative research methodology for the sake of collecting data and have also used existing data to support their claims.
If the paper had used the quantitative research methodology for the sake of collecting data and analysis, the level of the papers would increase in the sense of reliability, effectiveness and authenticity. I partially agree to the research papers of NYPD and DHS. The NYPD believes that the US homegrown terrorism is not because of suppression, suffering, and economic downfall but because of a search for an identity. It seems that in the modern period the western youngsters do not have specific cultural and social values and are only living their lives on the principles of capitalism. They find themselves without any of identity and money does not fill this lapse. They find Islamic tradition fulfilling this lapse trough cultural and religious value.
The analysis of DHS is very significant if it looks from the perspective of racism and the historic exploitation of African American. The White supremacist would feel insecure and insulted when they find an African American becoming the president of America. They would feel insecure in the sense of becoming a minority and losing their control over the resources of the country (Ridgeway, 2008). Therefore, there is the possibility of rising rightwing extremist in the context of current economic downfall and political circumstances to maintain the white-supremacy.
References
DHS. (2009, April 7). DHS Right-wing Extremism . Retrieved from http://fas.org/irp/eprint/rightwing.pdf
Ridgeway, J. (2008, October 30). Fear of a Black President. Retrieved from http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2008/10/fear-black-president
Silber, M. D., & Bhatt, A. (2006, Novemer 5). Radicalization in the West:The Homegrown Threat.
