Abstract
After the Paris attacks in 2015, there has been increased interest among criminologists in understanding the life experiences and biographies of individuals who have been engaged in violent extremism. The most widely accepted theory for this type of research is the life-course perspective. This research offers a holistic approach to examining and investigating the individual factors and social drivers that push people towards radicalisation and violent extremism. Building on the components of this theory, the research focuses on exploring and understanding violent extremism in North Macedonia through the extremists’ life experiences. It contributes to the identification and explanation of the life-course trajectories of incarcerated individuals who have been violent extremists and radicalised, as well as to the more successful identification of latent ‘new’ targets who could be radicalised. The research utilises a set of life-course criminological tools to explore individual-level experiences, motives and drivers for engagement in violent extremism in late adolescence and emerging adulthood, and it examines the intricate intersections of biography, social context and life-course contingent dynamics of both group- and self-narratives. To further substantiate its findings, the study will test the life-course perspective theory using historical data from various sources, including prison records, court proceedings, interviews and community reports. By analysing this data, the research aims to identify patterns and trajectories that are unique to the target population, uncovering critical points in the life-course that are most susceptible to radicalisation. This methodological approach ensures a robust analysis of the biographical and social dynamics influencing violent extremism, providing a comprehensive understanding that can inform both prevention and intervention strategies in the context of North Macedonia.
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Acknowledgements
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all interviewees who graciously accepted the invitation to participate anonymously, providing invaluable insights and information on the subject of interest explored in this paper.
Funding
The research leading to these results has received funding from the Minerva Center for the Study of the Rule of Law under Extreme Conditions at the University of Haifa (Faculty of Law and the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies) in 2022.
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Stanojoska, A., Babanoski, K. & Ilijevski, I. Exploring Individual Drivers of Violent Extremism in North Macedonia through Life Histories. J Dev Life Course Criminology (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-025-00273-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-025-00273-w