Non-normative political extremism: reclaiming a concept’s analytical utility

Political extremism suffers from a definitional deficiency. This article proposes an analytical definition of the term, which avoids using extremism in a pejorative way. This definition also avoids exclusive focus on violence. This definition encourages the analyst to explicitly make the case for de...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Jackson, Sam (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2019
In: Terrorism and political violence
Year: 2019, Volume: 31, Issue: 2, Pages: 244-259
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Volltext (Publisher)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
Civil Rights
Political extremism
political identity
radical localism
Sharia
Description
Summary:Political extremism suffers from a definitional deficiency. This article proposes an analytical definition of the term, which avoids using extremism in a pejorative way. This definition also avoids exclusive focus on violence. This definition encourages the analyst to explicitly make the case for defining an action or an actor as extremist by comparing the action or actor to its political context. The article then explores several dimensions of an extremist political identity that can help observers understand extremist behavior and goals. It uses this conceptual framework to consider three examples of political extremism. Finally, the article concludes with some limitations and strengths of this definition of political extremism.
Item Description:Gesehen am 14.11.2023
Published online: 18 Aug 2016
ISSN:1556-1836
DOI:10.1080/09546553.2016.1212599