Nunuev S.M. Radicalization of political Islam in Dagestan: actors, institutions, new directions

Abstract: The subject of this research is the parameters of radicalization of political Islam in Dagestan. The actors, institutions, and new manifestations of radicalization of political Islam in Dagestan during the period of 2007-2016 are being revealed. Special attention is given to the correlation and manifestations of the factors of radicalization of Islam: the level of economic development and quality of life, social differentiation, birth rate, and migration. Based on the analysis of the surveys, the author underlines the indication of the low level of trust to the government authorities, as well as consolidation of Islamic identity. The author explores the dynamics in the level and forms of terrorism, as well as suggests recommendations in the area of counterterrorist policy. The constructivist paradigm of religiousness was being applied in this work, which allowed revealing purposefulness and discursive concept of the established Islamic identity by the elites.  The author determines the group of actors of radicalization of political Islam in Dagestan: regional ruling elites, traditional clergy, Sufi religious brotherhood, Salafi communities, and transnational terroristic organizations. During the course of this research, primarily the network type of institutionalization of political Islam was being detected. The author determines the new manifestations of radicalization of political Islam during the period of 2007-2016: transnationalism of terrorist groups, dissociation of the moderate and radical Salafi movements, as well as growing influence of the Hizb ut-Tahrir terrorist organization.

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