Radicalism, Extremism, and Terrorism
Terminological Explanations and Their Role in Anti-Democratic Movements
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12797/Politeja.23.2026.102.10Keywords:
radicalism, extremism, terrorism, definitions, conceptualization, anti-democratic movementsAbstract
This article focuses on the analysis of the concepts of radicalism, extremism, and terrorism, with particular emphasis on their role in anti-democratic movements. The paper aims to provide precise terminological clarification of these phenomena and examine how they are used by various groups and organizations seeking to undermine democratic systems. The article presents the differences between these concepts, their interconnections, and the context in which they are applied in political and sociological analyses. It also discusses how radical and extremist ideologies find space to develop within democratic societies, often exploiting legal political mechanisms to pursue their objectives. Furthermore, the article analyzes how terrorism, as the most extreme manifestation of extremism, serves as a tool for anti-democratic groups seeking to destabilize political order. Its reliance on violence distinguishes it from radicalism, which may advocate change without rejecting democratic principles, and from extremism, which may reject those principles but does not necessarily resort to violence. The paper highlights the necessity of precisely defining these phenomena in the context of contemporary challenges to democracy and points to the role of states and international institutions in countering their development.
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