№82: Universal Utopia: Weighing the Reasons for the Appeal of the Islamic State
№82: Universal Utopia: Weighing the Reasons for the Appeal of the Islamic State

Author(s): Patrycja Sasnal
Subject(s): Islam studies, International relations/trade, Security and defense, Studies in violence and power, Radical sociology , Sociology of Religion
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: Islamic State; Jihadism; radicalism; violence; Middle East; ISIS; ISIS supporters; universal utopia;
Summary/Abstract: Jihadism may be exclusively associated with the Muslim culture as a term and concept, but failing to see its universal, cross-cultural dimension impairs domestic and international policy considerations. This radical utopia serves as a global magnet for anti-systemism rather than just attracting religious locals in the Middle East. European countries need to structure their policy toward ISIS carefully, so that they do not become the frontline soldiers in the fight against this utopia and, in doing so, tie the rope around their necks at home. This is especially true as, globally and in the long term, the number of potential supporters for ISIS is likely to grow.

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