Radicalization involves the development of extremist or intransigent behavior.
The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) does not recognize the term radicalization , although its use is common in our language. The dictionary does accept the idea of radicalizing , which consists of making a position, manner, attitude or behavior more radical .
At this point, it must be said that one of the meanings of radical refers to that which is intransigent or extremist . Therefore, the radicalization of a person or a movement would be the process that leads to greater intransigence or fanaticism .
Radicalization concept
As the radicalization of an individual or group occurs, dialogue or the possibilities of reaching an agreement decrease . A radicalized person will only be interested in imposing their ideas , without caring about the consequences or without accepting dissent.
For example: “I am concerned about the radicalization of these young people who do not obey the orders of any authority,” “The radicalization of the political party ended up turning it into a guerrilla group,” “I am not going to accept the radicalization of the struggle, but everything "On the contrary: I want us to find common ground to resolve conflicts in peace ."
When radicalization advances, violence usually comes.
An example
Suppose that a group of students does not agree with the current conditions for studying at a university . As a first measure, they submit a petition to the authorities to request certain changes. Given the lack of response, the students decide to hold a protest at the university gate, with banners and flags.
Without reaching an agreement with the authorities, the radicalization of the movement does not stop, but they decide to block the street, take over the university and prevent classes from being held until their demands are addressed.
Radicalization and dialogue
One of the risks of the radicalization of a group of people is that the opposite group responds with the same strategy; In other words, when there is a radical position on both sides, the chances of finding a solution considerably decrease. Unfortunately, in matters of social interest, which involve the masses, it is very difficult to avoid this phenomenon, since ideals quickly take a back seat, giving way to political and economic interests .
Contrary to what happens in a dispute between two people, when large portions of society confront each other, it is not normal for them to meet in an open space and talk with patience and desire to reach an agreement, but rather for third parties intervene who wish to control them to satisfy their own desires for power . To do this, they offer them the means and channels for debate, although in reality they are not concerned about the problems raised, but instead seek to manipulate them through these favors.
The advance of hate
Radicalization is related to many other negative phenomena, such as hatred and discrimination, in that it arises from a lack of understanding and grows excessively, like a monster that acquires colossal size and destroys everything in its path without knowing why, not knowing its origin and destination . Given the intervention of the aforementioned external factors, an extreme position can be sustained despite having lost its meaning, but it is not easy to dissolve it, since the intertwined interests do not allow it.
If we look at the recent history of human beings, what better example of radicalization can we find than Nazism, as difficult as it may seem to use this term in the same sentence as "better." Precisely, this disastrous stage, which gave rise to humanity's greatest crime, represents a real challenge for anyone who tries to understand the behavior of our species and forces us to contemplate a twisted and distorted view of human rights and the bases of democracy.