Extremism

Extremism in General

What is extremism?

There are actually several approaches to defining extremism. In general, however, extremism can be described as opinions and ideologies that strongly deviate from the current social, political, and/or legal system and aim to abolish it. For extremist groups, these ideologies are considered “unshakable truths”; people with opposing views are discredited or defamed, and no other opinions are tolerated.

On the one hand, extremism can be defined by its objectives and demands. The aim is to establish a new political and/or social system and destroy the existing one. In Germany, this often includes the abolition of the free and democratic basic order.

However, the methods used by extremist groups can also be used to define extremism. Extremist groups employ different forms of violence to enforce their ideology. Everything from insults and threats to property damage and violence against people is possible. Some groups do not use violence at all, but instead, for example, conduct disinformation campaigns.

What forms of extremism are there?

Right-wing extremism

• Goal: Abolition of democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights; promoting the superiority of one's own ethnicity (“race”)
• Ideologies:
  • Antisemitism: Primarily known as hostility towards Jews
  • Nationalism: Isolation from other countries, the belief that “one's own country is superior,” and discrimination against other peoples
  • Authoritarianism: “Dictatorship” – one person or one party should have unlimited power
  • Other anti-human ideologies: racism, homophobia, misogyny, …
• Criminal offenses: more than 42,700, including 1,280 violent offenses in 2024

Left-wing extremism

• Goal: Creation of a classless, completely egalitarian society (all people are equal), abolition of capitalism, and introduction of socialism, communism, or anarchism
• Ideologies:
  • Marxism:
    • Communism: Classless society, no private property – socialized production and consumption based on the principle of need; everyone takes what they need
    • Socialism: A preliminary stage of communism; means of production are nationalized, the state regulates overall production (planned economy), and social equality is pursued
  • Authoritarianism
• Criminal offenses: 9,970, including 532 violent offenses in 2024

Religious extremism/fanaticism

• Goal: Establishing the teachings and rules of one's own religion as the basis for society
• Ideologies depend on the religion
• Example: Islamism:
  • Radical interpretation and practice of Islam
  • Introduction of Sharia (Islamic legal and regulatory system)
  • Antisemitism
• Criminal offenses: 1,870 in 2024

Why is extremism dangerous?

Extremism, in any form, threatens peaceful coexistence because it rejects fundamental values such as democracy, human dignity, and freedom of expression. Extremist ideologies present their own views as absolute truth and leave no room for discussion or alternative perspectives. Those who do not belong are excluded, insulted, threatened, or even attacked. In this way, extremist ideologies create enemy images that increase mistrust, hatred, and violence within society.

Furthermore, extremists rarely stop at radical demands. Many groups deliberately attempt to influence society and politics. They use different methods to achieve this. Some spread false information on social media in order to create uncertainty or portray certain groups of people negatively. Disinformation, particularly in the form of conspiracy theories, can also be used to undermine trust in democratic institutions or science and to further divide society. Many extremists do not hesitate to attack people directly – whether through threats, property damage, or (serious) physical violence, in the worst cases even threatening human life.

The individual forms of extremism have different goals but similar consequences. Politically motivated extremists seek to abolish entire political and social systems and replace them with their ideology. Religious extremists use faith to justify violence or to denigrate other religions.

All these forms have one thing in common: They undermine trust in a respectful and free society and can, in the long term, weaken or even destroy democratic structures.

Extremism on the Internet

How and why do extremists use the Internet?

The Internet offers extremists many advantages: They can spread their messages to thousands of people with little effort, remain anonymous if they choose, and specifically target certain groups. Young people are particularly interesting to them because they spend a lot of time online and are often looking for guidance, a sense of belonging, and opportunities to connect with others.

Extremists use a wide variety of platforms:

• Social media (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube) → Short, entertaining videos or eye-catching memes are uploaded that appear harmless at first glance. Jokes or trends are often used to subtly incorporate extremist messages. YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels in particular have become an important part of extremist activities because they allow ideologies to spread quickly. In addition, users who interact with such content in any way (for example, by commenting or watching it until the end) are often shown similar content more frequently due to recommendation algorithms.
• Messaging platforms (Telegram, Discord) → Extremists create private groups to which teenagers and young adults are invited. In these groups, content can be shared and discussed with less interference. New members are gradually confronted with increasingly radical messages. Over time, these members may pass the content on to friends, family, and others.
• Gaming communities and chats: Extremists also deliberately seek contact with people through online games. They use voice or text chats to start conversations with young people and build trust. Most games with these features allow players to add others as “friends,” enabling extremists to remain in contact with young people.

How can I protect myself from extremist content?

The best protection is to engage with online content critically and consciously. If a video, meme, or message is highly provocative or appears very one-sided, it is a good idea to verify the information:

• Check the source: Who created the content? Is it a reputable news source or an unknown channel making questionable claims?
• Fact-check: Is what is being claimed actually true? Fact-checking services provided by newspapers or specialized platforms can often help identify disinformation. (Reference to fact-checking)
• Hide or block content: On TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, users can report content, block channels, or restrict comments. This can reduce the influence of extremist content.

When it comes to children and young people, it is important to regularly talk about their activities and experiences online. Anyone who feels that they have encountered shocking or disturbing content should not deal with it alone, but should talk to their parents, teachers, or other trusted people. This makes manipulation less likely and can, at best, prevent serious consequences.

How can I help people who have become involved in extremist organizations?

Once someone has become involved in extremist circles, it can be very difficult to leave. Such groups give their members a strong sense of community and create the feeling of “finally being understood.” At the same time, they create enemy images and isolate their members from other opinions.

For this reason, it is particularly important to treat those affected with patience, understanding, and openness. Accusations or criticism usually only cause them to become more strongly attached to the group. Instead, it is important to maintain contact, listen to them, and take small doubts about the extremist worldview seriously.

There are also professional support services, such as counseling centers, hotlines, and programs for people seeking to leave extremist groups. They provide support in dealing with extremist structures, help with legal questions, and offer perspectives for a life outside such environments. If you know someone who is affected, you can help lower the barrier to seeking support – for example, by accompanying them to their first meeting with a counseling service.

In this way, people can gradually leave extremist organizations and return to a self-determined and free life.

Sources:

German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) – Politically Motivated Crime Statistics 2024