Al Qaeda in the West as a Youth Movement: The Power of a Narrative
CEPS Policy Brief No. 168
8 Pages Posted: 27 Jan 2009
Date Written: August 28, 2008
Abstract
This paper by a noted expert on Islam, Olivier Roy, declares that the success of Osama Bin Laden is not to have established a modern and efficient Islamist political organisation, but to have invented a narrative that could allow rebels without a cause to connect with a cause. Instead of looking vertically through Muslim history and theology to explain Al Qaeda's violence, he argues that it should be connected to the general phenomenon of radical violence among youth.
Keywords: Islam, Europe
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Roy, Olivier, Al Qaeda in the West as a Youth Movement: The Power of a Narrative (August 28, 2008). CEPS Policy Brief No. 168 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1333550 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1333550
Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?
Feedback
Feedback to SSRN
If you need immediate assistance, call 877-SSRNHelp (877 777 6435) in the United States, or +1 212 448 2500 outside of the United States, 8:30AM to 6:00PM U.S. Eastern, Monday - Friday.