Extremism

Extremism describes the state of holding views or taking measures that are far outside the social mainstream. This concept is most often applied to political or religious ideologies. It can also be used to describe extreme views in economics. People use the term in different ways. Some use it as a criticism, which is called a pejorative use. Others, like journalists or academics, use it as a neutral description. In many discussions, extremist views are contrasted with those held by moderates.

Defining extremism is a complex task because it is often subjective. Peter T. Coleman and Andrea Bartoli note that it involves beliefs, attitudes, and actions far from the ordinary. What one person calls a moral act, another might call immoral. For example, one person might see a group as "freedom fighters." Another person might label that same group as "terrorists." This depends on a person's own values and politics. Even views on historical figures can change based on new information or shifting world opinions.

Power dynamics play a major role in how extremism is identified. Low-power groups often use direct, episodic violence, such as suicide bombings. They may turn to these methods if they feel normal ways to engage in conflict are blocked. On the other hand, dominant groups may use structural or institutionalized forms of extremism. This can include the covert use of torture or the informal sanctioning of police brutality. In Germany, the government uses the term specifically to identify intentions that reject democratic values and laws.

Extremism is different from radicalism in several specific ways. Researcher Astrid Bötticher notes that these two concepts have different goals and morals. Radicalism is often seen as idealistic or emancipatory. Extremism may be viewed as restorative or anti-democratic. While radicals might use pragmatic and selective violence, extremists may view violence as a legitimate and acceptable tool. Furthermore, radicals may show an acceptance of diversity, whereas extremists might show disdain for it.

Many thinkers have attempted to explain the nature of political extremism. In the mid-20th century, Eric Hoffer wrote about the psychology of people in fanatical mass movements. He published works like "The True Believer." During the same era, Arthur Schlesinger Jr. wrote "The Vital Center." He argued that societies need a mainstream middle ground to function. Another thinker, Seymour Martin Lipset, suggested that extremism can even exist in the center of politics. This center-based extremism was linked to the rise of fascism.

Psychologists have identified specific traits that often appear in extremist groups. Jan-Willem van Prooijen identified four features: psychological distress, cognitive simplicity, overconfidence, and intolerance. A 2018 study at University College London looked at metacognition in political extremists. Metacognition is the ability to recognize when you are wrong and change your mind. The study found that people on both the extreme left and right had worse metacognition. They often had misplaced confidence in their beliefs and resisted new evidence.

Some leaders have argued that the label of extremist is not always negative. Martin Luther King Jr. was once called an extremist. He responded by asking if figures like Jesus or Amos were not extremists for love and justice. He suggested the real question is whether one is an extremist for hate or for love. Similarly, Barry Goldwater stated that defending liberty can be an extreme act. Robert F. Kennedy argued that the danger is not being extreme, but being intolerant of others.

Finally, the term can be used by governments to control speech. In Russia, laws against extremist content have been used to suppress protests and criticism. This includes prosecuting people for writing poems or criticizing government spending. This shows how the definition of extremism can be a tool for political power. Whether viewed as a psychological illness or a rational strategy for power, extremism remains a central topic in understanding how societies function and conflict.