Causes of radicalism complex: minister

Dutch justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin has called on scientists, policy makers and others to guard against simplistic reasoning and explanations when it comes to radicalisation.

He made the remark during his opening speech on Tuesday at the international conference on fighting terrorism at the Peace Palace in The Hague
Hirsch Ballin believes social-economic problems or a lack of political commitment can lead to radicalisation, news agency ANP reports. He added however that it would be going too far to say there is an actual link. What is noticeable is that many radicals in the west are well-educated and come from good homes, the minister said.
Hirsch Ballin also considers the internet an important tool in spreading radical ideas: ‘Cyberspace is the battlefield,’ he said.