Motivations for Joining and Pathways to Engagement in Leftist Violent Extremist Groups

AI Summary

Study maps common pull, push, and personal factors motivating engagement in Antifa and far-left violent extremist groups.
In-depth life history interviews with ten current or former members identify three distinct pathways to leftist violent extremism.
Findings inform CVE policy and practice, aiding scholars and law enforcement, and highlight similarities and distinctions with other ideological violent extremism.

AI Summary

Our research explores the motivations and pathways for engaging in antifascist (Antifa) and far-left violent extremist groups. 10 current or former left-wing violent extremists in the United States participated in qualitative, in-depth, life-history interviews. Informed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Behavioral Analysis Unit 1's, "Beyond Belief: Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in America," this study examines leftist violent extremism in terms of common radicalization pull factors, push factors, personal factors, and pathways to engagement. This research is relevant to counter-violent extremism (CVE) scholars, law enforcement personnel, and policymakers because it elucidates how and why some Americans become involved in left-wing VE groups, as well as the similarities and distinctions between leftist VE groups and VE groups with other ideological persuasions.

Basic summary

Behav Sci Law. 2026 May 29. doi: 10.1002/bsl.70071. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Our research explores the motivations and pathways for engaging in antifascist (Antifa) and far-left violent extremist groups. 10 current or former left-wing violent extremists in the United States participated in qualitative, in-depth, life-history interviews. Informed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Behavioral Analysis Unit 1’s, “Beyond Belief: Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in America,” this study examines leftist violent extremism in terms of common radicalization pull factors, push factors, personal factors, and pathways to engagement. Our study identifies three potential pathways to leftist violent extremism (VE) and closely examines the motivating factors of subjects’ involvement. This research is relevant to counter-violent extremism (CVE) scholars, law enforcement personnel, and policymakers because it elucidates how and why some Americans become involved in left-wing VE groups, as well as the similarities and distinctions between leftist VE groups and VE groups with other ideological persuasions. By better understanding motivations and pathways to engagement in leftist VE groups, we hope to inform counter-terrorism prevention and intervention efforts.

PMID:42212553 | DOI:10.1002/bsl.70071

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