Strategies to Counter Extremism and Radicalisation in Swedish Schools – Managing Salafi Jihadists Attempts to Influence Students

Authors

  • Jesper Falkheimer Department of Strategic Communication, Lund University, Sweden

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.v26i1.7042

Keywords:

schools, radicalisation, counter-extremism, Salafism

Abstract

This article focuses on the importance that municipal schools have, and potentially can have, in counteracting radicalisation in relation to Salafist-Jihadist extremism in Sweden. The purpose of the study is to provide a review of previous research into radicalisation, with a specific focus on the role of schools. In addition to the review, there is a minor qualitative interview study with teachers and experts, which has the aim of creating a dialogue in relation to the research problem. Previous research and the interviews show that there are clear signs of anti-democratic views and values in Swedish schools, especially antisemitism and homophobia. A four-field model illustrates different approaches to radicalisation in schools. Repression is something that is primarily dealt with by law and security agencies, however there is no legal support in Sweden for school management or teachers to identify and report students suspected of radicalisation. In the main, the interviewees supported an active, open and critical dialogue as the right strategy. This is also supported by much of the research on radicalisation. It is important that teachers are well-read and have the courage to raise issues that can be seen as controversial by some students. According to several of the teachers, this is not self-evident in a Swedish context where open conflicts of opinion disrupt consensus.

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Author Biography

Jesper Falkheimer, Department of Strategic Communication, Lund University, Sweden

Jesper Falkheimer, Professor, Department for Strategic Communication, Lund University, Sweden. He is also Editor-in-Chief for Journal of Communication Management and Professor II at University College Kristiania, Oslo. His research has focused on crisis communication, communication management and place branding. Some of his latest publications are articles in Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics, Journal of Place Branding and Public Diplomacy and the 2nd edition of Strategic Communication: An Introduction to Theory and Global Practice (with M. Heide, Routledge).

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Published

2022-03-15

How to Cite

Falkheimer, J. (2022). Strategies to Counter Extremism and Radicalisation in Swedish Schools – Managing Salafi Jihadists Attempts to Influence Students. Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration, 26(1), 67–86. https://doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.v26i1.7042

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Original Articles

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