That's a Bit Extreme!
James Gardner defines extremism as being a dogmatic intolerance (whether this is expressed through violent means), an incline towards an inflexible obedience towards an accepted authority. and also being available to be shaped by a common ideology, and a sense of group unity.
this is a good general definition of extremism, as it allows most things to be addressed. it also doesn't (like a lot of other dictionary definitions of extremism) point directly and mainly at politics.
i think a part of extremism, is the fact that people do not question what they are being told, or what they believe. or understand how it effects the rest of society. they do not have an informed point of view.
but, to seek to get rid of all extremists, one i don't think it could be possible, and two, it is important for people to express their views about things they are interested in, or passionate about. a part of democracy is the right to be entitled to having our own opinions and views about things and not being forced to believe what everyone else does.
however, there are common norms and values that are shared by the majority of society. one of the different perspectives in sociology is functionalism. and a part of their discussions on deviance is explaining that some deviance is a good and healthy part of society. (deviance being the breaking of the shared consensus of norms and values). some deviance strengthens the societies understanding on their norms and values, because they are being challenged. of course, only some levels of deviance are seen as normal.
i myself, use small forms of rocking the boat. small forms of extremist behaviour. (something which i see as perhaps a pretty important part of a democratic society to be able to challenge the norms and values of that society). i think it is good to be challenged to understand each others, and our own beliefs and thoughts about the world. if that is a reaction against an extremist group (and, trust me, there are a few out there. particularly on the internet) then that group is causing some good.
to be able to be informed is a good thing. however, one of the above characteristics of the Gardener definition is an inflexible obedience towards an authority. where the people are not encouraged to think for themselves...
this is a good general definition of extremism, as it allows most things to be addressed. it also doesn't (like a lot of other dictionary definitions of extremism) point directly and mainly at politics.
i think a part of extremism, is the fact that people do not question what they are being told, or what they believe. or understand how it effects the rest of society. they do not have an informed point of view.
but, to seek to get rid of all extremists, one i don't think it could be possible, and two, it is important for people to express their views about things they are interested in, or passionate about. a part of democracy is the right to be entitled to having our own opinions and views about things and not being forced to believe what everyone else does.
however, there are common norms and values that are shared by the majority of society. one of the different perspectives in sociology is functionalism. and a part of their discussions on deviance is explaining that some deviance is a good and healthy part of society. (deviance being the breaking of the shared consensus of norms and values). some deviance strengthens the societies understanding on their norms and values, because they are being challenged. of course, only some levels of deviance are seen as normal.
i myself, use small forms of rocking the boat. small forms of extremist behaviour. (something which i see as perhaps a pretty important part of a democratic society to be able to challenge the norms and values of that society). i think it is good to be challenged to understand each others, and our own beliefs and thoughts about the world. if that is a reaction against an extremist group (and, trust me, there are a few out there. particularly on the internet) then that group is causing some good.
to be able to be informed is a good thing. however, one of the above characteristics of the Gardener definition is an inflexible obedience towards an authority. where the people are not encouraged to think for themselves...
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on Tuesday 15 May 2007 at 7:26 am.
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