Subcultures and Violent Radicalisation

by Daniela Pisoiu

What role do subcultures play in the radicalisation of Islamist, right-wing and left-wing groups? How are the norms of subcultures adopted by radicalised individuals and reflected in their lifestyle, identity and choices? Violent radicalisation is often portrayed as a deviant behaviour resulting from social and political dissociation. At the same time Islamist, right-wing and left-wing terrorist groups have all found sections of the population to sympathise with their aims and provide them with moral and logistical support. Through comprehensive systematic research, rigorous analysis of the empirical data and a range of interviews with active and former radicals Daniela Pisoiu construct a theoretical framework to explain the transition to radicalisation and political violence in Germany. Her conclusions provide us with a wider understanding of the role of subcultures in violent radicalisation and demonstrates that, far from a marginal and abnormal phenomenon, this radicalisation is a matter of traceable long term and holistic socialisation.

Hardcover

Published January 5, 2026