SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS BEHIND RADICALIZATION: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN

Abstract

This article aims to explore the socioeconomic factors behind radicalization in
Pakistan. This study highlights that radicalization is a process by which extreme social,
religious and political views are adopted by the individuals or groups to undermine and reject
the freedom of speech, status quo, fragile law and order situation, emerging trends and ideas at
the societal level. The Human Needs Theory has been employed to analyse the phenomenon of
radicalization in Pakistan as this theory states that the deep-rooted social conflicts spring from
unfulfilled basic human needs. In context of Pakistan, social injustice and poverty, age and
modernity, role of media, rising unemployment, and lack of human development opportunities
appear significant contributors of radicalization. Moreover, the article suggests that the
government and policy makers should address the issues of poverty, injustice and
unemployment on priority basis to discourage radical elements of the society. In the era of
globalization, media can play crucial role to discourage radical groups of the society. Rather
than just focusing on the coverage of violent incidents, media should highlight the dangerous
consequences of radicalization on life of the individuals and society as a whole. Finally, the
government of Pakistan rather than just focusing on income level in the economy should
consider development indicators like education, health facilities, governance and institutional
quality while formulating macroeconomic policies alongwith strengthening and practicing the
democracy in its true sense.