Pathways of Youth Radicalization in Pakhtun Society: Applying the Anomie and Strain Theory

Zafar Khan; Rahman Ullah; Uzma Kamal

doi:10.47264/idea.lassij/3.2.17

Authors

Zafar Khan Department of Sociology, University of Peshawar, Faculty of Social Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2494-4324
Rahman Ullah Department of Governance, Politics, and Public Policy, Abasyn University, Peshawar, Pakistan | BBC News (World Service), British Broadcasting Corporation, Peshawar, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9612-753X
Uzma Kamal Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Peshawar, Faculty of Social Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/3.2.17

Keywords:

Anomie, Strain Theory, Transitional Societies, Radicalization of Society, Cultural Norms, Pashtun Society

Abstract

This article investigates the normlessness and strain situation radicalizing impact on youth radicalization in Pashtun semi-tribal society. The major objective of the study to explore the Anomic and Strain Condition in Pashtun Society in the light of sociological theories and effects of anomic situation on youth radicalization in Pashtun society. For this study Pashtun, society was selected as a case study because Pashtun society has been passing from the transitional stage. Keeping in view the nature of the study the qualitative paradigms were adopted for data collection and analysis. Different themes were derived from the primary data. Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton theories are applied to analyse themes which focuses the anomic and strain conditions in Pashtun society. It is revealed that youth in Pashtun society faces the normlessness and strain situation. It is investigated that the rapid socio-cultural and technological change after the advent of globalization pushed youth to anomic and strain situation, which exposed youth to radicalization. It is revealed that the normlessness and strain situation indirectly set a stage for the youth radicalization in Pashtun society. For the affective counter-radicalization the sociological facts need to be investigated to curb the favourable socio-cultural environment of radicalization.

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