The Sunday Times reports today on the Government’s proposed new crackdown on extremism. This problem may be something of a Gordian knot in its tangled complexity, but it’s hard to see how to cut through to an easy solution. Inaction won’t do, but action risks being counterproductive or else in conflict with some of the values it seeks to protect.
Plans include the creation of ‘a blacklist of radicals and extremist groups subject to banning orders.’ But what is extremism and how is it best dealt with?
.... It’s difficult to know how best to deal with extremism. Hardliners may be most effective when it comes to dissuading youth from joining ISIS – yet they may also help sow the seeds of radicalism by promoting views which (while less horrifically extreme) overlap with those of ISIS.
And of course – even if they don’t drive people to ISIS – their views are utterly vile. Yet clamping down on (non-violent) extremist voices may fuel a grievance narrative – and extremism. Liberal Muslim groups do much good work – yet are often targets for abuse from other Muslims. So what is to be done? [Harry’s Place] Read more
