Rational Extremism: The Political Economy of RadicalismExtremists are people whose ideas or tactics are viewed as outside the mainstream. Looked at this way, extremists are not necessarily twisted or evil. But they can be, especially when they are intolerant and violent. What makes extremists turn violent? This 2006 book assumes that extremists are rational: given their ends, they choose the best means to achieve them. The analysis explains why extremist leaders use the tactics they do, and why they are often insensitive to punishment and to loss of life. It also explains how rational people can be motivated to die for the cause. The book covers different aspects of extremism such as revolution, suicide terrorism, and global jihad. The arguments are illustrated with important episodes of extremism, including the French Revolution, the rise of nationalism in Yugoslavia under Milosevic, and the emergence of suicide terror and Al Qaeda today. |
Contents
| 3 | |
Section 2 | 21 |
Section 3 | 53 |
Section 4 | 75 |
Section 5 | 89 |
Section 6 | 90 |
Section 7 | 94 |
Section 8 | 99 |
Section 11 | 123 |
Section 12 | 137 |
Section 13 | 139 |
Section 14 | 144 |
Section 15 | 161 |
Section 16 | 190 |
Section 17 | 215 |
Section 18 | 228 |
Section 9 | 108 |
Section 10 | 118 |
Section 19 | 230 |
Section 20 | 245 |
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Common terms and phrases
actions activity appear approach argued behavior beliefs capacity cause chapter choice cohesion corruption countries crime demand democracy desire developed dictator dictatorship dilemma discussed economic effect ethnic example exchange explain extreme extremist fear Figure firm first follows give globalization goals greater hand idea illustrate implies important income increase individual interest investment involved Islamic Italy jihad leader leading less look loyalty markets means methods Milosevic movements nationalism network externalities networks obvious organization participation particularly party person political position possible pressure problem production question raise rational reason reduce refers regime religious repression result revolution risk seems shows social capital social interactions society solidarity sometimes suggested suicide tend terrorism terrorist theory trust turn typically understand United utility function