Why do some people become radical activists? Could poking around in their brains elicit any clues? Dr. Maxwell Schnurer, author of “They Took Ulrike Meinhof’s Brain: A Comparative Study of the Causes of and Justifications for Militant Direct Action”, argues against biological explanations for radical and revolutionary behaviour. Instead, Schnurer examines what activists say about their involvement in militant actions. Comparing the left-wing radicalism of the 1960s and 70s to current groups such as the ELF (Earth Liberation Front), he offers crucial insight into why people engage in extralegal activities.
Schnurer, a long time animal activist, is a contributing author to the new anthology Igniting a Revolution: Voices in Defense of the Earth (AK Press, 2006). He is currently an Assistant Professor of Communication at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California.
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