Farhad Khosrokhavar Book order

European jihadism is a multi-faceted social phenomenon. It is not only linked to the extremist behavior of a limited group, but also to a much more global crisis, including the lack of a utopian vision and a loss of meaning among the middle classes, and the humiliation and denial of citizenship among disaffiliated young people in poor districts all over Western Europe.This book explores how European jihadism is fundamentally grounded in an unbridled and modern imagination, in an uneasy relationship with social, cultural, and economic reality. That imagination emerges young women and their longing for another family model; adolescents and their desire to become adults and to overcome the family crisis; people with mental problems for whom jihad is a catharsis; and young converts who seek contrast with a disenchanted secular Europe. The family and its crisis, in many ways, plays a role in promoting jihadism, particularly in families of immigrant origin whose relationship to patriarchy is different from that of the mainstream society in Europe. Exclusion from mainstream society is also a at the urban level, a large proportion of jihadists come from poor, stigmatized, and ethnically segregated districts. But jihadism is also an expression of the loss of hope in the future in a globalized world among middle class and lower-class youth.

In the wake of the Paris, Beirut, and San Bernardino terrorist attacks, fears over 'homegrown terrorism' have surfaced to a degree not seen since September 11, 2001. A sought-after commentator in France and a widely respected international scholar of radical Islam, Farhad Khosrokhavar has spent years studying the path towards radicalization, focusing particularly on the key role of prisons - based on interviews with dozens of Islamic radicals - as incubators of a particular brand of outrage that has yielded so many attacks over the past decade.

The book offers an in-depth examination of the Arab Spring, tracing its impact from Tunisia to the Gulf. It argues that these movements are not just protests but pivotal moments that are rejuvenating democratic ideals in the Middle East. Through detailed analysis, the author explores the sociopolitical dynamics and the potential for lasting change in the region's governance and civil society.

Exploring the multifaceted nature of jihadism, this book delves into its role as a significant force against Western capitalism, comparable to the Soviet era. It provides an insightful introduction to jihadism, highlighting the complex dynamics beyond just Al Qaeda. The text examines how two key movements shape the motivations and actions of jihadi activists, offering a deeper understanding of this global phenomenon.