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THE ROLE OF COLLECTIVE IDENTITY IN SOCIAL CONTINUUM OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
Borna Pleše
Abstract
This paper discusses the importance of collective identity as an integral part of the social continuum of terrorist organizations. Categories of identity are an important system of recognition between groups and individuals in relation to their respective social environment, while even mundane social dynamics are also largely influenced by the interactions of different identity categories. Terrorist organizations are examples of social groups that very clearly proclaim their collective identity, often positioning themselves as standard-bearers of certain social groups (ethnic, religious etc.). As such, there is considerable insight to be attained by investigating elements of collective identity as one of the fundamental traits of many existing terrorist organizations. Such an approach can also provide a new basis for future studies of terrorism as a social phenomenon. The paper uses relevant theories and present knowledge from the fields of sociology, social psychology, theories on nationalism and others as a theoretical framework.
Keywords
terrorism. collective identity; social constructivism; social psychology; social geometry
Hrčak ID:
82931
URI
Publication date:
27.12.2011.
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