Extremism

Abstract

Abstract Extremism has become a very common term nowadays, both in social science and outside the academic sphere. However, its usage is rather awkward: nobody has arrived at a satisfactorily comprehensive definition. The concept refers to individuals or groups who advocate or resort to measures that lie beyond the moral and political center of society (Eatwell & Goodwin 2010: 8). It can be associated with ideologies (values systems) or behaviors. Historically, it has been also used to indicate totalitarian regimes such as communism and fascism. When applied to politics, extremism is commonly defined by the elements anticonstitutionalism and antidemocracy; it is the rejection of the fundamental values, procedures, and institutions of the democratic state (Carter 2005). In this sense some scholars, taking into account an action‐based and a values‐based form of extremism, also distinguish it as consisting of three components: extraordinary, excessive, and intolerant political opinion, belief, or activity; violent political activity; and activity aimed against the democratic constitutional state (Downs, Manning, & Engstrom 2009).