How to Talk to Extremists, with Gabrielle Rifkind

In Episode Three of the Parlia Podcast, Turi speaks to eminent psychotherapist Gabrielle Rifkind, author of The Fog of Peace: The Human Face of Conflict Resolution, to discuss the transformative power of psychology in conflict resolution.

S1 E3: How Extremists Think

”If you look at how conflicts resolve it’s usually done so through the lens of geopolitics and that’s about power relationships and it seems to me that whilst power is hugely important it’s not enough…People are not born extremists. What are the social circumstances that have created the ground for radicalisation?”

Turi speaks to psychotherapist and conflict resolution expert Gabrielle Rfikind about the psychological causes of, and solutions to, conflict.

Together, they discuss:

  • What makes societies susceptible to radicalisation?

  • Are people born extremists?

  • Is Europe moving into a dangerous space?

  • What does the UK response to coronavirus tell us about our political climate?


Gabrielle Rifkind

Gabrielle Rifkind is a renowned psychotherapist who has spent her career looking at the role of human motivation and behaviour in conflict resolution. Her insights have been critical in bringing together warring factions throughout the Middle East and further afield.

Rifkind has authored several acclaimed books on the psychology of conflict, including The Fog of Peace:The Human Face of Conflict Resolution, which looks at empathy as a preventative measure for war.


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The Parlia Podcast asks: what is an opinion? where do they come from? And what does that mean for politics and society?

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This page was last edited on Friday, 30 Oct 2020 at 10:32 UTC

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