NATURE AND MANIFESTATIONS OF RADICAL JIHADISM

Abstract

Introduction. Modern researchers use the term 'radical jihadism' actively; however the meaning of the term is not clear. A problem of clarifying this term is vital for philosophical and religious studies area. Purpose. Identification of the main features of radical jihadism is the purpose of this study. Methods. The study uses analysis and phenomenology as its methods. Results. Firstly, we argued that radical jihadism is an absolutely unacceptable ideology that propagates murders and violence. Secondly, we demonstrated that radical jihadism can not be seen as a manifestation of the right of peoples to military protection, because it proclaims not a defensive, but an offensive and total war towards both the military and civilians. Thirdly, we showed that radical jihadism is a fundamentally religious ideology directed primarily against representatives of Judaism and Christianity. Originality. The originality of our study is that it summarizes the available information, considering radical jihadism as a holistic phenomenon. We analyzed ideas and data of such researchers, as O. Ashour, I. Antonovich J. M. Brachman, A. Boukhars, G. Mirskiy, R. Nesipbay, E. Saltman, J. Turner, T. Hegghammer, F. Khosrokhavar and C. Hewitt. Particularly, we analysed J.Turner's thoughts about the evolution of Salafi-Jihadism; E. M. Saltman’s and C. Winter’s ideas about the changing face of modern jihadism; and C. Hewitt’s cross-national analysis of Jihadism. Conclusion. We stated that radical jihadism is a fundamentally religious theory and practices which instigating and practicing a religiously motivated war as their aim fist of all against Christians, Jews and those Muslims, who do not believe in  radical salafites’ doctrine.