The UK Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) has published research demonstrating that ideology plays a central role in driving terrorism, writes Nicholas Dynon.
Sacred Violence: the enduring role of ideology in terrorism and radicalisation by Dr Donald Holbrook forensically analyses 6,000 pieces of content consumed by 100 UK terrorists between 2004 and 2021.
The findings show that terrorists are deeply immersed in extremist ideology – consuming, debating and often producing their own material that justifies their actions.
“Terrorists take ideology deadly seriously. As government starts to grip the litany of challenges it faces on counter extremism, that means it must do so too,” said the UK’s Commissioner for Countering Extremism, Robin Simcox.
“This research provides clear evidence that ideology explains why terrorists fight, what they hope to achieve, and what they consider permissible in their struggle.”
According to Dr Holbrook’s research, terrorism and its permissive environment cannot be understood without reference to ideology. Over half the subjects in the study produced their own ideological content justifying their involvement in terrorism
The research found that terrorists display broad ideological interests. Islamist ideology tends to be more theological while extreme right-wing content is often more explicitly hostile and violent.
Half the extreme ideological material in Islamist terrorism cases originated in the West (i.e. the UK, USA, and Europe). The most influential Islamist clerics among the terrorists studied were Anwar al-Awlaki, Abu Hamza al-Masri and Abdullah el-Faisal. Also popular was Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb
Among the extreme right wing, music groups – from folk musicians to heavy metal bands – produced the highest volume of ideological content. The most prolific authors of ideological content proved to be National Action, founded in 2013 and proscribed in the UK in December 2016
The report’s findings suggest that counterterrorism and counter extremism policy within the UK must incorporate an understanding of ideology and its function in transitions to terrorism.
Dr Donald Holbrook is an Associate Fellow at the International Centre for Counter Terrorism (ICCT). He also runs a research consultancy working with governments and law-enforcement on matters relating to counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism. He serves on the editorial board of the journal Terrorism and Political Violence.
The Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) provides the UK government with impartial, expert advice and scrutiny on the tools, policies and approaches needed to tackle extremism. It supports the public sector, communities, and civil society to confront extremism wherever it exists; and promotes a positive vision around core, shared values.
Published 20 march 2025, the full report is available on the Commission for Countering Extremism website.
