depending on various factors both inside and outside the mountain. Brandsma argues that conflict is an escalation of polarisation. A brewing conflict can be prevented by refusing to fuel the polarisation, e.g. refusing to frame an issue or incident with ‘us-and-them’ language and instead listening to all parties to create a frame that weaves together diverse experiences and underlying social concerns and desires. A conflict in full swing requires intervention to create safety. Similar to polarisation and conflict, extremisms are the norm rather than the exception. We can define extremism as “an attitudinal position at either end of any ideological dimension (political, religious, ethical, moral, philosophical, ecological, etc.)”11 Anyone can, and many do in every society, have an attitudinal position at one pole of an ideological dimension: for example, ‘my political party is the best’, ‘all religions are bad’, ‘my religion is the one true religion’, ‘technological solutions to social problems are the best’, etc. Whether or not an extreme attitudinal position fuels polarisation and erupts in conflict can depend on the extent to which one recognises one’s viewpoint as related to those who are elsewhere on the ideological scope. If we see ourselves on the same dimension as others, then we can find some common ground, some shared interests, and recognise some expression of shared humanity. In contrast, if we deny being on the same dimension, then we deny the existence of a community or civic space in which to participate. Recognising or denying that different and even opposing views are located on the same dimension seems to be an indicator for the absence of radicalisation and violent extremism.
Polarisation and radicalisation It is crucially important to highlight the difference between polarisation and radicalisation. Radicalisation can be defined as “the process where individuals or factions of these polarised groups grow further towards the acceptance and use of violent extremism and ultimately terrorism.”12 Consequently, polarisation can potentially lead to radicalisation in certain circumstances. 11- Suedfeld, P., Cross, R. W., & Logan, C. (2013). 12- Radicalisation Awareness Network, Tackling the challenges to prevention policies in an increasingly polarised society, November 2016, p.3.
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