Extremism is the act of taking a belief, political view or ideology to its most literal extreme. Extremist, along with "radical", is a common term to describe those who tend to choose extreme methods, particularly violence to express their views, in an attempt to cause political or social change.

By the most general definition, extremists would be military or violence-minded people who believe in the power of violence as an effective means to enforce social order. But the "extremist" or radical label tends to be reserved for those who act out of violence against the will of the larger social body, rather than those who believe in violence to enforce the will of the social body.

The terms "extremism" or "extremist" are almost always applied by others, rather than a group labeling itself such — the term connotes using illegitimate means such as subterfuge or violence to promote one's agenda. The act of labeling a person, group or action as "extremist" is often a technique to further a political goal. There is no sect of Islam that calls itself "Islamic Extremism"; there is no political party that calls itself "Right Wing Extremist" or "Left Wing Extremist". The idea that there is a philosophy of extremism is suspect; that people conclude others are extremists is common.

Within sociology, several scholars who study (and are critical of) extreme right-wing groups have objected to the term "extremist," which was popularized by centrist sociologists in the 1960s and 1970s. As Jerome Himmelstein states the case: "At best this characterization tells us nothing substantive about the people it labels; at worst it paints a false picture." (p. 7).

Rather than labeling themselves "extremist," those labeled such tend to see the need for extreme actions as varying with the situation. Dante said "The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who, in time of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality" (Inferno, The Divine Comedy). Barry Goldwater said, "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice; moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue" at the 1964 Republican Convention. "Radical" is a somewhat less negatively-connoted label sometimes used by people or groups to label themselves.

It is a common saying that "One man's 'terrorist' is another man's 'freedom fighter.'" Extremism is perceived through the mainstream beliefs of the time. History and the mainstream beliefs of a later time may tell a different story.

Ideologies that are classified as extremist by critics include:

• Nazism
• Fascism
• Communism
• Anarchism
• Islamism

See also

• Right-wing extremism
• Left-wing extremism
• Fanaticism
• Sister Souljah moment

References

Himmelstein, Jerome L. 1998. "All But Sleeping with the Enemy: Studying the Radical Right Up Close." Paper, annual meeting, American Sociological Association, San Francisco.