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Is a Rising Tide of Indignation Fueling Radicalization?
From housing crises to climate deregulation, escalating inequalities, and armed conflicts, there's no shortage of issues that provoke public indignation. Yet, as the political systems struggle to address these challenges, the emotion can lead to radicalization, according to experts.
Professor Pablo Madriaza-Manríquez, of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), notes that indignation, defined as a shared feeling of injustice and moral anger, has long been a driving force, catalyzing movements like the patriots' revolt, the civil rights movement in the United States, and the Yellow Vests in France.
Recent studies indicate that worldwide, negative emotions have surged, except for a slight decline in 2023, as identified by the Gallup firm's annual report on emotions. Madriaza-Manríquez underlines that this surge can contribute to a rise in anger and indignation.
Unaddressed, feelings of injustice can translate into feelings of powerlessness, warns Ghayda Hassan, a professor of clinical psychology at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Citizens are increasingly expressing sentiments such as "we are powerless," Hassan observes.
This sense of futility can lead some to embrace fatalism, apathy, or, in other cases, radicalization to demand change. However, while radicalization doesn't always result in violence, it can signify a rejection of the status quo due to perceived injustice, Madriaza-Manríquez explains.
This doesn't mean that radicalized movements are inherently negative, as many have indeed brought about beneficial social progress, from the suffragette movement to the civil rights movement in the United States. Generally, these movements engage in political discourse within the established system and result in reforms rather than violence, Madriaza-Manríquez emphasizes.
Individuals who don't find a voice within the political system, however, can resort to violence to be heard, Hassan asserts. Meanwhile, the responsibility for this violence rests not only with the individuals themselves but also with those who deny them a platform to express their concerns.
Politicians, institutions, and those with more power have a role in addressing economic disparities that fuel indignation, such as the right to adequate housing, fair wages, and living conditions. Overly harsh repression of social movements can further drive radicalization by reducing the space for citizen action and mobilization, according to Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnès Callamard.
To prevent indignation from leading to radicalization, Hassan suggests encouraging prosocial action such as educational activities, joining pressure groups, or mutual aid. The ultimate goal is to mobilize people to take an active role in addressing social injustices and ensuring that governments actively listen to their concerns.
In the face of escalating societal issues like climate deregulation and armed conflicts, indignation can lead to radicalization, as highlighted by experts like Professor Pablo Madriaza-Manriquez. Unaddressed feelings of injustice can translate into feelings of powerlessness, warns Professor Ghayda Hassan, potentially leading to radicalization or rejection of the status quo.
