The Aarhus Model: countering the global wicked problem of radicalization with local pragmatist collaborations

Abstract

This chapter delves into the role of local collaboration as a pragmatist approach for tackling global wicked problems. Specifically, it focuses on the Aarhus Model for countering radicalization, in which local police officers, civil servants, and social workers work together to identify individuals at risk and develop interventions to steer them away from violent extremism. The chapter conveys a message of hope to researchers and practitioners grappling with complex issues, illustrating how local actions can have a substantial impact. It also details how the pragmatist principles of coordination, sense-making, experimentation, and meaning-making, can be concretely applied in collaborative efforts to combat wicked problems. Finally, through an exploration of the model's historical origins and the contrasting accounts of its inception, the chapter underscores the fact that success stories often have deep-rooted historical foundations and are intricately linked to their institutional contexts.