Extremism

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology, Political Science
Cover of the book Extremism by J. M. Berger, The MIT Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: J. M. Berger ISBN: 9780262349376
Publisher: The MIT Press Publication: August 3, 2018
Imprint: The MIT Press Language: English
Author: J. M. Berger
ISBN: 9780262349376
Publisher: The MIT Press
Publication: August 3, 2018
Imprint: The MIT Press
Language: English

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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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.

More books from The MIT Press

Cover of the book Good Reception by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book Titans of the Climate by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book The Aesthetic of Play by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book The Copyright Book by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book Architecting the Future Enterprise by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book Einstein's Wife by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book Getting it Wrong by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book Big Hunger by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book Exchange Rate Regimes in the Modern Era by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book International Relations in the Cyber Age by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book When the Lights Went Out by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book Reinventing the Automobile by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book The Science of Managing Our Digital Stuff by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book Robots by J. M. Berger
Cover of the book Art School by J. M. Berger
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy