EXTREMISM

J.M. Berger's 2018 book Extremism, a volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series, offers a nuanced introduction to extremist movements, explaining what extremism is, how extremist ideologies are constructed, and why extremism can escalate into violence. Named an Outstanding Academic Title for 2019 by Choice Reviews, and available in four languages. Perspectives on Terrorism: "Elegantly written, the book provides a lucid discussion of a contested concept, with illustrating examples from right-wing, left-wing, and religious terrorism."

GENERAL EXTREMISM, RECENT PUBLICATIONS: 

FAR RIGHT

NEW: A PALER SHADE OF WHITE 

Discussions of extremist ideologies naturally focus on how in-groups criticize and attack out-groups. But many important extremist ideological texts are disproportionately focused on criticizing their own in-group. A new research report from J.M. Berger uses linkage-based analysis to examine Siege, a White nationalist tract that has played an important role in shaping modern neo-Nazi movements, including such violent organizations as Atomwaffen Division and The Base. While Siege strongly attacks out-groups, including Jewish and Black people, the book is overwhelmingly a critique of how the White people of its in-group fall short of Nazi ideals. Siege’s central proposition—that the White in-group is disappointing, deeply corrupt, and complacent—shapes its argument for an “accelerationist” strategy to hasten the collapse of society in order to build something entirely new. 

Read the report | Related: The Out-Group in the In-Group

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS:

JIHADISM