There are several components, known as strands, including in the United Kingdom’s anti-terrorism strategy. First of all, it is a demonstration of strength and determination, as well as relentlessness, i.e., the effectiveness of actions that does not weaken over time. In addition, these are balanced medium- and long-term actions that include both coercive measures and positive incentives. Another critical aspect of the strategy is the collaborative work of the special services and information security.
The component that is mainly aligned with counter-radicalization is countering extremist ideology. This is due to the particular concern caused by the frequent manifestations of radicalism among young people in recent years (Great Britain, Secretary of State for the Home Department 25). Individuals and groups of radical orientation confirm numerous examples of negative informational and psychological impacts on society. In the absence of proper life experience, some young people take the path of antisocial behavior and commit offenses and crimes of a radical orientation.
The objectives of this strategy are the prevention of radical manifestations in the fields of labor, law, politics, science and education, culture and sports, communication, and healthcare. The main elements of this policy are the development of counter-radical programs and projects. It also includes the organization of activities in various areas of youth policy and communications to prevent radical manifestations.
The key features of the ideological struggle against radicalism are the foresight of its inclusion in all higher professional education programs. In addition, it is characterized by legal information on the prevention and counteraction of radicalism. It is also necessarily associated with the formation of skills for recognizing manipulative communication technologies both live and in cyberspace. A characteristic feature of the ideological struggle against radicalism is working with public consciousness, and building social mechanisms to counter the spread of radical ideas.
Work Cited
Great Britain, Secretary of State for the Home Department. The United Kingdom’s Strategy for Countering Terrorism. Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 2018.