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.
Keyword(s)
Radicalization, Socio-economic Factors, Unemployment, Basic Human Needs