The Discursive Construction of Terrorist Group Identity

Rothenberger, Liane; Müller, Kathrin M.A.; Elmezeny, Ahmed

doi:10.1080/09546553.2016.1180288

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 17 publications

(17 reference statements)

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“…A belief that one's culture, for example, is under threat from another poses a serious impediment in the face of cementing a healthy relationship between these cultures, affecting many aspects of interaction between them, and even encouraging prejudice between members of these different cultures (Stephan et al 2000, p. 240). The theory has been used in multiple studies, and was updated by Stephan and Renfro to revolve around two key types of threats: realistic threat and symbolic threat (Stephan et al 2002). Realistic threats are those concerned with the wellbeing of the in-group such as political and economic power, while symbolic threats are concerned with the in-groups' values, beliefs, or worldviews; realistic threats are tangible unlike symbolic ones, and both, importantly, may only be perceived and not necessarily actual (Stephan et al 2002).…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The theory has been used in multiple studies, and was updated by Stephan and Renfro to revolve around two key types of threats: realistic threat and symbolic threat (Stephan et al 2002). Realistic threats are those concerned with the wellbeing of the in-group such as political and economic power, while symbolic threats are concerned with the in-groups' values, beliefs, or worldviews; realistic threats are tangible unlike symbolic ones, and both, importantly, may only be perceived and not necessarily actual (Stephan et al 2002).…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fragmentation and Grievances as Fuel for Violent Extremism: The Case of Abu Musa’ab Al-Zarqawi

Alkhayer

2021

Social Sciences

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Violent extremism naturally benefits from any state of fragmentation. This article focuses on Iraq in a period of a staggering rise in terrorist attacks that started with “operation Iraqi Freedom.” The rhetoric of Abu Musa’ab Al-Zarqawi is used as a case study. Analyzing his statements between 2003 and 2006 shows his weaponization of the concepts of out-groups and threat; it is shown to have a temporaneous association between the escalating violence and successful mobilization. This highlights the saliency of these concepts, the crucial role of Iraq’s Sunni Arabs’ grievances, and the resulting societal fragmentations, which all play in Zarqawi’s efforts to mobilize his in-group. The use of Social Identity Theory and Integrated Threat Theory outlines Zarqawi’s rhetorical strategies in portraying his enemies, and therefore, exposes the rhetorical justifications behind his violent extremism. Results show, temporally, prominent implementation of out-group/threat in the rhetoric, the different out-groups in question, and the types of threats portrayed. In addition, this article concretely shows the effect of the allied forces/Iraqi government’s policies in fortifying Zarqawi’s rhetoric by way of adopting hostile and discriminatory measures against Sunni Arabs. This article also shows an undeniable dialectical relationship between societal fragmentation/grievances and violent-extremist rhetoric and returns the question to policy makers.

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Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fragmentation and Grievances as Fuel for Violent Extremism: The Case of Abu Musa’ab Al-Zarqawi

Alkhayer

2021

Social Sciences

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“…According to Colvin (2009), "identity derives both from what we do in language (who we say we are, or are not), and from what language does to, or says about us" (p. 1). In terrorism, language and violent action are closely related because terrorist groups, like ISIS, manipulate language to justify extremism, radicalize individuals and encourage them to engage in violent terrorist acts that are politically motivated (Ingram, 2016;Rothenberger et al, 2016).…”

Section: Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has also examined ISIS' radicalization techniques either in its online magazine Dabiq only (Al-Hassan, 2017; Ingram, 2016;Monaci, 2017;Musial, 2016;Vergani & Bliuc, 2015) or in both Dabiq and Rumiyah (Latif, 2017;Obonova, 2017;Seijbel, 2017). Previous studies also investigated the linguistic strategies employed by ISIS and other terrorist groups to establish their identities on their websites (Al-Hassan, 2017; Rothenberger & Kotarac, 2014;Rothenberger et al, 2016). There is a dearth of research that conducts a linguistic analysis of ISIS' online magazine Rumiyah only or that examines particular messages, ideologies or propaganda strategies in all the published issues of this magazine.…”

Section: Ideology and The Ideological Squarementioning

confidence: 99%

The Construction of Collective Identity in Terrorist Discourse: A Case Study of ISIS' Rumiyah Magazine

الزوکة¹

2019

مجلة کلية الآداب . جامعة الإسکندرية

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Using Koller's (2014) model for analyzing collective identity and van Dijk's (2000) ideological square, the present study investigates how collective identity is constructed in two sections of ISIS' Rumiyah magazine. These are: the series of articles entitled "Establishing the Islamic State" and the interviews held with ISIS' leaders. Results show that a number of discourse features and linguistic devices, such as social actor representation, evaluation, modality, and intertextuality, are employed at the micro-level of texts to present the Islamic State positively and its enemies negatively, and to construct some collective identities for ISIS such as being the defender of Islam and Sunni Muslims, and the implementer of Shariah. Results also show how the discourse goals at the meso-level of analysis and the socio-political context at the macro-level account for the use of different discourse features and linguistic devices at the micro-level.

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“…Past studies on the discursive construction of terrorist identity have focused on victimization (Mythen, Walklate, & Khan, 2009), terrorist group identity-building online (Rothenberger, Müller, & Elmezeny, 2016;Rothenberger & Kotarac, 2014), redefining…”

Section: Terrorism and Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“Make No Mistake—This was a Terrorist Attack”: Examining the Discursive Construction of Terrorism in Canada

Barfoot¹

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Terrorism' has been a mainstream discussion since the early 2000s. Though much academic and government research has been produced on the subject, consistent and appropriate application of the term seems to be elusive. As a result, the modern incarnation of the word carries baggage of the event that inspired its political appropriation and relies on synonyms to maneuver the limitations of legal definitions. I use critical discourse analysis to explore how terrorism and terrorist identity have been discursively constructed in the 2017 Public Report on the Terrorist Threat to Canada and its predecessors. My analysis suggests that this series of reports strategically manipulates Canadian readers by artificially inflating the 'terrorist threat' and securitizing policies and Canadians themselves. The 'war on terror' narrative persists as the difference between 'political' and 'legal' terrorism becomes increasingly unclear. These findings indicate the need for further discursive analysis of the politicization of terror in Canada.iii

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The Discursive Construction of Terrorist Group Identity

Cited by 14 publications

References 17 publications

Fragmentation and Grievances as Fuel for Violent Extremism: The Case of Abu Musa’ab Al-Zarqawi

Fragmentation and Grievances as Fuel for Violent Extremism: The Case of Abu Musa’ab Al-Zarqawi

The Construction of Collective Identity in Terrorist Discourse: A Case Study of ISIS' Rumiyah Magazine

“Make No Mistake—This was a Terrorist Attack”: Examining the Discursive Construction of Terrorism in Canada

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