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What Is Radicalization, and Why Is It So Common Among Americans?
We need to unpack how radicalization works and identify the unique aspects of American society that make it such fertile ground for this phenomenon.
What Is Radicalization, and Why Is It So Common Among Americans?
In recent years, “radicalization” has become a key term in discussions about political extremism, misinformation, and the widening social divide. But what does it mean, and why do Americans seem particularly susceptible to it?
We need to unpack how radicalization works and identify the unique aspects of American society that make it such fertile ground for this phenomenon.
Understanding Radicalization
At its core, radicalization is the process by which people adopt extreme political, religious, or social ideologies that often lead to significant behavioral changes. This might include joining extremist groups, engaging in violence, or fiercely defending divisive ideas.
Radicalization isn’t exclusive to any one ideology. It occurs across the spectrum — from far-right movements like white supremacy to far-left anarchism and everything in…
