Social Extremism and Social Terror
Social extremism is a social/political phenomenon that differs greatly from the moderate and perpetrators violate commonly accepted standards of the society. Extremists are motivated by either religious beliefs or ideology in which case they hold an extreme political stance. Social extremists in the world today refuse to be associated with violence. Social terror of terrorism on the other hand describes the use of violent means by left or right wing, national or religious groups to achieve their missions. Terrorists employ violent actions to create fear in the society or opponents and also to attract the media so that what they are fighting can be made public.
Extremism and terrorism are scantly related in concept. Both groups condone violence in one way or another as a tactic to push their agenda. However, social extremists unlike terrorists do not directly engage in violent acts against their targets. Usually, extremism will promote suppression or ejection against their opponents but not inflict these vices themselves but rather encourage others to do it. Social extremists also tend to “take a political idea to its limits, regardless of unrealities, or feelings to the contrary” (Wintrobe, 2006). Like terrorists, extremists are prejudiced and intolerant to anyone of a different opinion. Both groups are prepared to counter any efforts that try to persuade different approach.
To some extent, social extremists may manage to achieve their goals by using violence. For example, extremists against abortion may intimidate or kill doctors who facilitate abortions. This action may not only deplete specialists of abortion in the society but also create fear among those who wish to facilitate abortion in any manner. Violence is commonly used by groups in the society to force ruling regimes in most parts of the world to meet their demands. These demands may be agitation to get rights that are not being delivered. Violent strategies by extremists are usually aggressive resulting to massive loss of lives and property.
Environmental activism is the political action taken by individuals who fight against destruction of the environment. Eco- terrorism on the other hand refers to the use of violent tactics to protect the environment. Eco-terror targets both persons and property. Both environmental activism and eco-terror share a mission of securing the environment against destruction. However, the strategies these two groups use to send their message to their opponents differ greatly.
Traditionally, environmental activists usually apply democratically accepted means like petition and mobilizing policy-makers or business owners to support their antipollution campaigns. They also encourage consumers not to reject products that endanger the environment. Protests are also common among activists. Sometimes, civil disobedience and direct actions are used. Eco-terrorists strategies cause harm to persons or property. For example, through tree spiking, the spike may cause serious harm to the logger or damage the mill or saw. Another tactic used is arson where eco-terrorists may burn sites of housing developments. Some even bomb their targets as a last resort when all other avenues have failed.
Terrorism means the use of terror to cause fear so as to push a religious, political or ideological mission without consideration of the opinions of the innocent. From this definition, the word terrorism has correctly been used to describe the strategies that extremists, terrorists and eco-terrorists use to achieve their goals. The fact that these groups find their tactics justifiable makes them perpetuators of terror
Reference
Wintrobe, R. (2006). Rational extremism: the political economy of radicalism. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]