The root attraction of Islam, and for that matter all mass movement, is the opportunity they present for "flight from an unwanted self," as Eric Hoffer wrote in his definitive 1951 work on the subject The True Believer.
In relatively "good times" it's those who perceive themselves as inherently flawed beyond repair who are drawn to seek escape from a self they seek to disinherit who are drawn to movements that reject the present, in exchange for a glorious future.
They seek escape from the "awful" responsibility that seems to to come from "knowing good and evil."
The only sure and final defeat of a mass movement is in another, more resonant mass movement.
I think a mature American nationalism is the best counter to the draw of Jihadism. If the Left could ever let go of their imagined dream of Internationalism and instead embraced nationalism (as Left wing movements have in the past) Conservatism, as it is today in America, would have no chance. It's the missing piece in their complete victory over America.
I could go on and on, but my eyes shouldn't glaze over so early in the morning.
Used to enjoy seeing him on TV. A philosopher stevedore.
Hoffer was an impressive and insightful author. Given some recent research by others, I suspect his “self-educated migrant worker/longshoreman” narrative wasn’t 100% true, but that doesn’t detract from the greatness of his work.