Book contents
- From Traitor to Zealot
- From Traitor to Zealot
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Tables
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- 1 Betraying the Cause?
- 2 Nation, Race, and Anti-Semitism
- 3 Joining the Far Left
- 4 Fighting on the Path of Allah
- 5 Who Are Extremist Side-Switchers and What Drives Them?
- 6 Breaking the Cycle
- 7 Conclusions
- Bibliography
- Index
4 - Fighting on the Path of Allah
Joining Islamic Extremism from the Far Right and Far Left
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 November 2021
- From Traitor to Zealot
- From Traitor to Zealot
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Tables
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- 1 Betraying the Cause?
- 2 Nation, Race, and Anti-Semitism
- 3 Joining the Far Left
- 4 Fighting on the Path of Allah
- 5 Who Are Extremist Side-Switchers and What Drives Them?
- 6 Breaking the Cycle
- 7 Conclusions
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
This chapter focuses on defectors to the far-left ideological spectrum of extremist milieus, for example, anti-fascist groups, anarchism, or communism. The case studies and storylines presented here belong to individuals who were active as right-wing extremists or even terrorists before they made the transition to the extreme left. In most cases, this transition is explained by frustrating and disillusioning experiences within the far-right environment, especiallydysfunctional and toxic relationships with other members. A feeling of guilt and shame moved these side-switchers to attempt to make good on their former errors and assist left-wing groups in destroying the far right. Another set of motives belongs to the category of anti-establishment and ant-imperialism. Some switchers began feel that the struggle for a strong nation culminates in liberation from so-called imperialist capitalism.
Keywords
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- Information
- From Traitor to ZealotExploring the Phenomenon of Side-Switching in Extremism and Terrorism, pp. 144 - 200Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021