Radikalism

Radikalism (radicalism) is a political and social philosophy that advocates fundamental change to the existing social, political, or economic order, often aiming to replace or radically reform key institutions, power relations, or norms. It emphasizes systemic transformation rather than incremental reform. It can be associated with a wide range of ideologies, from liberal-reformist to socialist, nationalist, or religious currents.

Historically, radicalism emerged in early modern and modern Europe as critics of absolutism and feudal privileges, leading to calls for universal suffrage, constitutional rights, or democratic participation. In the 19th and 20th centuries, radical movements range from radical liberalism and socialism to anarchism and anti-colonial nationalism. Religious radicalism appears in movements seeking to return to or redefine religious authority. Contemporary radicals may advocate for sweeping changes in inequality, governance, or cultural structures, including environmental, feminist, or postcolonial projects.

Means vary: some radicals pursue reform within legal and electoral channels; others support direct action, civil disobedience, or, in more extreme cases, violence. The label radical is often contrasted with reformism, which seeks slower, limited changes within existing institutions, and with extremism, which may reject democratic rules or justify violent methods. Radical movements can exist inside democracies or operate outside them.

Critics warn that radicalism risks instability or repression, and that visionaries may overlook practical trade-offs. Proponents argue that radical programs illuminate injustices and offer pathways to transformative change. The concept remains useful for analyzing attempts to alter the balance of power and the distribution of resources across societies.