> the various social programs [...] basic, popular political beliefs [...] a particular political persuasion [...] similar underlying belief structures [...] th

> the various social programs [...] basic, popular political beliefs [...] a particular political persuasion [...] similar underlying belief structures [...] their novel program [...] the factors that led these young men to join There's a lot vague references here to things that are never revealed. I don't think I'm alone in perceiving it as an author deliberately hiding guilty details which would devastate the "reasonableness" of their complaint. To illustrate the idea: Person A: "The state cannot criminalize healthy joint exercises, natural bodily functions, and freedom of expression! This is an outrage to be condemned by every free-thinking man!" Person B: "For the last time sir, you can not fastball-pitch your own feces at people in line for the movie you dislike."