Terrorism -- the Lone Extremist Research Paper

In many cases, organized extremist groups and their published literature and propaganda play a crucial role in the initial process of radicalization of the individual (Dyer, McCoy, Rodriguez, et al., 2007). The principal difference between contemporary radicalization of this nature and traditional radicalization prior to the Internet age is that it is no longer necessary for the individual to have direct contact with extremist groups to be heavily influenced by them. Today, extremist groups have fully embraced the cyber environment that allows them to disseminate extremist views globally and to recruit prospective members from even the most remote locations (Dyer, McCoy, Rodriguez, et al., 2007). In general, individuals who participate actively and in person in extremist groups typically do communicate their intentions to some degree and they also receive support and encouragement from those groups (Schmalleger, 2009)

Can we expect to see this form of terrorist attack in the United States again?

It would probably be very unrealistic to imagine that the lone terrorist phenomenon will ever disappear.If anything, the fact the individuals now have a much greater ability to interact with other extremist remotely and through anonymous identities if they choose probably means that there will be more lone terrorist in the future. Since extremist sentiments, personal psychological dysfunction, and related terrorist activities tend to increase in times of stress and financial insecurity, it is also likely that the current economic situation and the highly partisan political climate will also contribute to this risk.

References

Dyer, C., McCoy, R., Rodriguez, J., and Van Duyn, D. "Countering Violent Islamic

Extremism: A Community Responsibility." The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,

Vol. 76, No. 12; (2007): 3-9.

Schmalleger, F. (2009). Criminal….....