Addressing Violent Radicalisation and Extremism

Beschreibung

This book adopts an interdisciplinary approach to confront one of the most urgent global challenges of our time violent radicalisation and extremism. It critically examines how restorative justice, positive criminology, and positive psychology intersect to address the behaviors and social conditions that foster extremism, offering a framework that reflects the complexities of our era. Grounded in a synthesis of philosophical inquiry, normative analysis, and empirical evidence from six international pilot projects conducted between 2017 and 2024, the volume navigates the shifting boundaries between punitive and preventive approaches. It explores the potential of community-based initiatives to foster understanding, empathy, and empowerment as means to reduce violence and promote reconciliation. Through a focus on the psychological and social roots of extremism, the book delves into the restorative capacity of justice systems to mend fractured communities and the role of positive psychological interventions in reshaping harmful behaviors. In doing so, it bridges theoretical advancements with actionable strategies for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking alternatives to traditional punitive models. This collection reflects the depth and breadth of contemporary scholarship in counter-extremism, offering perspectives from established experts and emerging voices. It serves as a vital resource for those engaged in fields such as social work, human rights, conflict resolution, and criminology, contributing fresh insights and practical tools to prevent and mitigate radicalisation. “This book offers a refreshing and holistic perspective on one of the most pressing global issues today violent extremism. By integrating restorative justice principles with a psychosocial approach, the book moves beyond punitive measures and focuses on healing, rehabilitation, and the reintegration of individuals into society.  This book is a thought-provoking and important contribution to the discourse on counter-extremism”. Professor Clarence Augustus Martin, California State University, USA "This book is not only a source of knowledge, but also a significant advancement in the evolution of thought, offering tangible pathways for action. Through a genuinely interdisciplinary approach and case studies, Theo Gavrielides presents the scientific community with a work where science becomes a lens through which reality can be understood and reshaped." Professor Grazia Manmozzi, University of Insubria, Italy.  

This book adopts an interdisciplinary approach to confront one of the most urgent global challenges of our time violent radicalisation and extremism. It critically examines how restorative justice, positive criminology, and positive psychology intersect to address the behaviors and social conditions that foster extremism, offering a framework that reflects the complexities of our era.

Grounded in a synthesis of philosophical inquiry, normative analysis, and empirical evidence from six international pilot projects conducted between 2017 and 2024, the volume navigates the shifting boundaries between punitive and preventive approaches. It explores the potential of community-based initiatives to foster understanding, empathy, and empowerment as means to reduce violence and promote reconciliation.

Through a focus on the psychological and social roots of extremism, the book delves into the restorative capacity of justice systems to mend fractured communities and the role of positive psychological interventions in reshaping harmful behaviors. In doing so, it bridges theoretical advancements with actionable strategies for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking alternatives to traditional punitive models.

This collection reflects the depth and breadth of contemporary scholarship in counter-extremism, offering perspectives from established experts and emerging voices. It serves as a vital resource for those engaged in fields such as social work, human rights, conflict resolution, and criminology, contributing fresh insights and practical tools to prevent and mitigate radicalisation.

Autor*in

Theo Gavrielides

Themen in »Addressing Violent Radicalisation and Extremism«

Restorative justice Terrorist studies crime prevention and control Positive psychology law and criminology

Stimmen zu »Addressing Violent Radicalisation and Extremism«

“The work of Theo Gavrielides, Addressing Violent Radicalisation and Extremism: A Restorative Justice & Psychological Approach, offers an ambitious and conceptually rich exploration of violent radicalisation and extremism from a restorative justice perspective. … the volume stands out for its unprecedented empirical engagement with restorative justice and radicalisation, as well as for the central role of the philosophical, psychological, and criminological frameworks informing the case studies.” (Alice Angelini, Internet Journal of Restorative Justice, March, 2026)

“Addressing Violent Radicalisation and Extremism: A Restorative Justice, Psychosocial Approach offers a refreshing and holistic perspective on one of the most pressing global issues today—violent extremism. By integrating restorative justice principles with a psychosocial approach, the book moves beyond punitive measures and focuses on healing, rehabilitation, and the reintegration of individuals into society. Theo Gavrielides explores the complex roots of radicalization, paying close attention to factors that contribute to extremist ideologies. This approach is particularly valuable in its ability to connect theory to practice, offering practical information for students and professionals working in the fields of justice, counter-terrorism, and community building. The discussions, case studies, and examples help ground the theory in real-world applications, making it a useful resource for both academics and practitioners. Overall, this book is a thought-provoking and important contribution to the discourse on counter-extremism, proposing a path that emphasizes empathy, accountability, and long-term peace-building over retribution.” (Professor Clarence Augustus Martin, J.D., Ph.D., Chair Department of Criminal Justice Administration, California State University, USA)

“This book is not only a source of knowledge, but also a significant advancement in the evolution of thought, offering tangible pathways for action. Through a genuinely interdisciplinary approach, Theo Gavrielides delves deeply into three core areas – restorative justice, positive psychology, and positive criminology – examining them from both an internal and linguistic perspective. Through carefully chosen case studies, he presents the scientific community with a work where science becomes a lens through which reality can be understood and reshaped.” (Professor Grazia Mannozzi, Professor of Restorative Justice and Victim-offender Mediation, University of Insubria, Director of the Restorative Justice and Mediation Study Centre Como, Italy)

“In an important innovation, the author develops a model which integrates such therapeutic interventions with established restorative justice practices of proven effectiveness, especially family group conference and restorative justice circles (hence RJiNEAR). This introduces important elements of community support, personal empowerment and sensitivity to the need to fully understand and address the harmfulness of violent acts into the therapeutic process. It results in interventions which draw upon community power and involvement in efforts to reintegrate and heal marginalised individuals and groups, a variety of solution-focussed therapeutic interventions, and efforts to enable individuals to reconstruct a strong inner world.” (Professor Gerry Johnstone, Hull University, UK)

“This is a pioneering and engaging book that I highly recommend for practice and research in violence prevention. Gavrielides writes beautifully, building his arguments incrementally and anchoring them in an absolutely impressive range of theoretical, philosophical, cross-disciplinary and empirical argument, going back to ancient Greece while also capturing contemporary academic thought.  I completely commend the way he is able to move smoothly, in his writing, between both broad-sweeping and fine-tuning of scholarly material and then, step by step, bringing it towards and applying it to practice measures and programmes.” (Dr. Howard Williamson CVO CBE FRSA FHEA , Professor of European Youth Policy, University of South Wales, UK and Council of Europe)

“The book is done and structured in a way that the author does not consider his readers an ‘audience’. We are treated as real and unique fellow human beings with whom the authors holds a dialogue, no matter our backgrounds and interests. Some of those readers might be more in contact with this urgent and vibrant topic as researchers, policymakers, practitioners, pracademics or activists, coming from different disciplines and countries in the borderless fields of non-violence and restorative justice (also transitional and transformative justice). Nevertheless, previous knowledge is not required for this reading because the chapters give us with an unusual, and much needed, clear structure, terminology and tools to tackle the topic. They welcome and guide us through a significant conversation with ourselves, others and the world to think and to act.” (Professor Gema Varona , Director of the Basque Institute of Criminology, University of the Basque Country, Spain and coordinator of its Restorative Justice Theory & Practice Lab, President of the World Society of Victimology)

“This book provides a thoughtful, nuanced, and wide-ranging perspective on the utility and power of the RJiNEAR model for engaging diverse stakeholders in preventing and counteracting radicalisation. The model itself is strongly grounded in theory, research, and multiple disciplines, and yet is also clearly articulated in a way that makes it applicable and easily understandable. The case studies provide a comprehensive set of evidence for the utility and adaptability of the approach, spanning from multi-national implementation to localized programs during challenging times. They also demonstrate how the model is flexible and adaptable, which is a critical element of any effective restorative justice programme looking to help address the socio-political and historical dynamics that underly youth radicalisation.” (Prof. Gabriel Velez PhD, Marquette University, USA)

“This timely book introduces a fresh and more constructive approach to preventing harm and violence. Using a scientifically tested resilience model and through real-life pilots, Theo Gavrielides gives us hope during difficult times when the divisive narratives are growing worldwide.” (Robert Posner, Deputy Chief Executive, ThinkForward, UK)

“Positive psychology and restorative justice have much to learn from each other especially in rehabilitation and crime prevention. This timely and groundbreaking book brings these two fields together when divisive narratives about the reasons that lead to violent extremism are growing. It introduces a new approach that stands against academic scrutiny while providing us with alternatives that are grounded in evidence and not populist ideas and rhetoric. It is highly recommended for researchers, policy makers and practitioners.” (Prof. Verity Brown, PhD, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, St Andrews University, UK)

“Theo Gavrielides weaves together the threads of restorative justice, positive criminology, and psychology to create a brave analysis of one of society's deepest wounds and how to address it. Through a stimulating combination of case studies and philosophical insight, he reimagines the way we confront violence, offering a compassionate yet practical path forward. This is not just a book, but a call to action - a serious attempt to heal fractured communities. An inspiring work for anyone dedicated to peace and justice.”(Dr. Giuseppe Maglione, Lecturer in Criminology, Director of the Restorative Justice Clinic, University of Kent, UK)

“This book promotes an alternative to traditional approaches, way to identify and prevent radicalisation and extremism in young individuals and is based on solid empirical evidence.” (Costas Antoniou, Associate Lecturer in Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Cyprus)

“Gavrielides’ work represents a core contribution to the literature on youth exposure to radicalising contents online and responses to this threat. Chapter 6 is grounded on a “youth-led approach”, built on solid theoretical models. By involving young participants in the co-production of this research, the author successfully fulfilled the following four aims: 1) addressing power imbalances; (2) valuing lived experiences; (3) respecting choice in participation; and (4) empowerment. A highly recommended read”! (Dr. Elisa Orofino, Academic Lead for Extremism and Counter-Terrorism, International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, UK)

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