RIGHT-WING EXTREMISM THEORY AND PRACTICE - A view from Serbia
RIGHT-WING EXTREMISM THEORY AND PRACTICE - A view from Serbia

Author(s): Katarina Štrbac
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Political behavior, Politics and society, Criminology, Politics and Identity
Published by: ISAC - Centar za međunarodne i bezbednosne poslove
Keywords: Right-wing Extremism; Political Extremism; Ultranationalism; Xenophobia; Far-Right Movements; Serbia
Summary/Abstract: In almost any modern society, extremism is regarded as an undesirable form of political thinking and acting. Every type of extremism is characterized by an aggressive approach accompanied by a lack or complete absence of tolerance, very often characterized also by acting in the name of so-called “exalted goals”. Thus, extremists always perceive themselves as the only true guardians of their collectivity, and a barrier to the “immense danger” to their collective (which mainly pertains to race, nation or religious affiliation). Extremists are characterized by excessive efficiency in finding culprits and enemies. An important characteristic of extremist groups and movements is that they are not a goal in themselves nor are they sufficient. The incitement of non-extremists to violence, by raising the level of their aggressiveness and directing it toward a “culprit” labelled in advance is imposed as the main mission. Extremism obviously is both the cause and the consequence of conflicts, deepening mistrust between communities, and acting as a pronounced destabilizing everywhere in Europe. “The rise in right-wing extremist violence can be traced to several underlying factors: persistent socio-economic challenges, delayed democratic reforms, and inadequate social mechanisms for fostering tolerance. This violence manifests through various triggers, including conflicts over national interests and the expression of homophobic and xenophobic attitudes, which collectively threaten society’s security and stability”. Extremist movements emerge as symptomatic of broader societal dysfunction and the erosion of contemporary human values. This phenomenon is particularly concerning on a global scale but takes on special significance in the historically volatile Balkans region. The region’s experience with communist ideology over several destructive decades demonstrates a crucial pattern in social dynamics: extremism tends to breed counter-extremism. Specifically, left-wing extremism often catalyses an opposing response in the form of ethnic, religious, or right-wing extremism, embodying the principle that violence perpetuates violence.

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