Age-structured social interactions enhance radicalization

ABSTRACT

Disaffected youth are among the most susceptible in espousing extremist ideals, as confirmed by demographic studies. We study age-dependent radicalization via a three-stage model where individuals progress through non-radical, activist, and radical states while also aging. Transitions are modeled as age-dependent interactions that are maximized for individuals of the same age and that are enhanced at early adulthood. For comparison, we also derive the age-independent formulation corresponding to our model. We find that age dependence enhances radicalization and leads to waves of radical behavior ebbing and flowing over generational cycles, realizing well-known sociological paradigms. While government intervention is most effective when the appropriate ages are targeted, whether preventive or corrective action is preferable depends on the aggressiveness of the radicalization process.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging models
• radicalization
• youth
• oscillations
• dynamical systems

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Army Research Office [W1911NF-14-1-0472, W1911NF-16-1-0165]; National Science Foundation - Division of Mathematical Sciences [1516675].