Citation

Martinez L. Revue Internationale de Criminologie et de Police Technique et Scientifique 2010; 63(2): 131-154.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

How can the attraction to jihadism of some young Muslims in France be explained? This article demonstrates how radicalization is justified and how the transition to violent acts is legitimized. This justification process - for suicide bombings, for example - takes place in a context that we must understand: what social and organizational structures can promote a suicide-bombing at a given time? Also, analysis of the descent into violence should recontextualize the commitments and the individual trajectories, because the environment in which the justification process develops appears to be decisive. The descent into violence is not the product of frustration or of a psychological symptom. Suicide bombing, for example, is a true instrument of war. It makes sense and serves a purpose: to free a territory, to recover a community. Interviews conducted with young Muslims of North African origin help demonstrate how violent acts are legitimized.

Language: fr

Keywords

Islam; Violence; Suicide bombing; Jihad