Berger J. M. - Extremism - Paperback

Binding: Paperback
Description: What extremism is how extremist ideologies are constructed and why extremism can escalate into violence. A rising tide of extremist movements threaten to destabilize civil societies around the globe. It has never been more important to understand extremism yet the dictionary definition a logical starting point in a search for understanding tells us only that extremism is the quality or state of being extreme. In this volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series J. M. Berger offers a nuanced introduction to extremist movements explaining what extremism is how extremist ideologies are constructed and why extremism can escalate into violence. Berger shows that although the ideological content of extremist movements varies widely there are common structural elements. Berger an expert on extremist movements and terrorism explains that extremism arises from a perception of us versus them intensified by the conviction that the success of us is inseparable from hostile acts against them. Extremism differs from ordinary unpleasantness run - of - the - mill hatred and racism by its sweeping rationalization of an insistence on violence. Berger illustrates his argument with case studies and examples from around the world and throughout history from the destruction of Carthage by the Romans often called the first genocide to the apocalyptic jihadism of Al Qaeda America's new alt - right and the anti - Semitic conspiracy tract The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. He describes the evolution of identity movements individual and group radicalization and more. If we understand the causes of extremism and the common elements of extremist movements Berger says we will be more effective in countering it.
Title: Extremism
Author(s): Berger J. M.
Publisher: Mit Press Ltd
Barcode: 9780262535878
Pages: 200 Pages, 4 B&W Illus.
Publication Date: 8/28/2018
Series: Extremism
Category: Political Ideologies