Needs, Networks, and Narratives

Several existing explanations of the factors that lead some to support or participate in violent extremism provide parts of a useful framework yet do not sufficiently integrate the major causal variables into a truly workable theory of what drives certain individuals toward the violent extremist cause. The 3 Ns theory used here argues that individuals will support or participate in violent extremist groups if the organizations’ goals and activities are expected to help meet personal needs. Individuals are most likely to become ideologically committed to the extremist cause because of its promise to meet their psychological need for significance. But in contexts of armed conflict, extremist groups may be sympathized with or attract active support because they are also the best option for meeting security and sustenance needs. But only meeting physical needs does not draw the same ideological commitment that meeting the need for significance does.