Social Alienation as a Bridge Between Unemployment and Support for Political Violence

From a peacebuilding perspective, understanding the factors that lead to radicalization is the first step in preventing political violence, resisting its effects, and building solid pillars for peace. Along these lines, this research aims to explore the relationship between economic factors and radicalization, particularly between unemployment and support for political violence. As previous research has shown contradictory results, we suggest the need to explore the psychological factors that mediate the relationship between unemployment and support for political violence. Particularly, we suggest social alienation and moral disengagement. Therefore, we hypothesize that (Hypothesis 1) the unemployed will present greater social alienation, (Hypothesis 2) a greater sense of social alienation will be associated with greater support for political violence, and the relationship between employment status and political violence will be mediated by (Hypothesis 3) social alienation and (Hypothesis 4) moral disengagement. A study was conducted to test these hypotheses using a sample of employed (N = 281) and unemployed (N = 285) Spanish participants in Southern Spain. Participants completed a paper questionnaire in which they reported their employment status, social alienation, moral disengagement, and support for political violence. The results showed that the hypotheses were fulfilled and that social alienation and moral disengagement mediated the relationship between unemployment and political violence. According to these results, unemployment may encourage support for violence for political purposes. For this to be the case, perceptions of rejection must be considered. This underscores the need for interventions aimed at the welfare of the unemployed as well as their integration into society. Public Significance Statement This study suggests that the situation of unemployment can foster support for political violence when this situation gives rise to feelings of alienation. This underscores the need for interventions aimed at the welfare of the unemployed and their integration into society.