extremists

Extremists are individuals or groups whose beliefs or objectives are pursued through uncompromising or radical means that reject widely accepted democratic norms, legal constraints, or pluralistic debate. The label is used across political, religious, and ideological contexts to describe actors who seek rapid or fundamental change and who may justify or employ coercion or violence to achieve their aims. Not all who hold extreme views engage in violence, but extremist movements often rely on propaganda, recruitment, and mobilization to broaden support.

Extremism encompasses a range of ideologies, including political, religious, and environmental causes. Violent extremism uses or advocates violence, often aiming to instill fear or disrupt social order, while nonviolent extremism relies on coercion, intimidation, or exclusion without direct violence. When violence is involved, it can amount to terrorism, criminal activity, or organized wrongdoing. Policymakers frequently address extremism through a combination of law enforcement, counter-radicalization programs, and efforts to protect civil rights and public safety.

Radicalization refers to the processes by which individuals come to adopt extreme beliefs and justify them as legitimate. Contributing factors can include perceived grievances, identity struggles, social networks, online and offline propaganda, and a sense of belonging or purpose. Prevention and deradicalization strategies commonly emphasize education, critical thinking, community engagement, counter-messaging, and providing pathways away from extremist involvement.

Common categories of extremism include far-right, jihadist or Islamist, left-wing or anarchist, and eco-extremist movements, though classifications vary by country and discipline. The term remains a descriptive label used in scholarship, media, and policy to discuss actors who advocate for dramatic change through uncompromising means, sometimes at the expense of democratic norms and public safety.