Extremism

De: J.M. Berger

Narrado por: Matthew Josdal

A rising tide of extremist movements threaten to destabilize civil societies around the globe. It has never been more important to understand extremism, yet the dictionary definition - a logical starting point in a search for understanding - tells us only that extremism is "the quality or state of being extreme". In this volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series, J. M. Berger offers a nuanced introduction to extremist movements, explaining what extremism is, how extremist ideologies are constructed, and why extremism can escalate into violence.  

Berger, an expert on extremist movements and terrorism, explains that extremism arises from a perception of "us versus them", intensified by the conviction that the success of "us" is inseparable from hostile acts against "them". Extremism differs from ordinary unpleasantness - run-of-the-mill hatred and racism - by its sweeping rationalization of an insistence on violence. Berger illustrates his argument with case studies and examples from around the world and throughout history, from the destruction of Carthage by the Romans - often called "the first genocide" - to the apocalyptic jihadism of Al Qaeda, America's new "alt-right", and the anti-Semitic conspiracy tract The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

©2018 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (P)2019 Gildan Media, LLC

Performance is wooden and smug

Analysis is strong and also worth rereading, but I reduced 1 star for the performance. It’s just too wooden and smug.

Eye opening

This book is a great quick and detailed break down of the mechanics of extremist groups.

Good exploration of extremism

Oftentimes we observe individuals voting against their own best interest or participating in theories and activities that are inherently negatively bias towards them or their identities; this is summed up well in chapter 5 (I think that’s the chapter this is from): “Studies suggest the tendency to prefer the status quo is strong enough to overcome bases against out groups even when the status quote disadvantages one’s own group and provide advantages to a competing group.”

Further the parallels between religious terroristic efforts and American political conservative landscape is spot on and ever visible in today’s stage - especially considering the continual onslaught to women’s autonomy and personhood. The religious zealot’s effort to force both marriage (end of no fault divorce, end of marriage equality, end of SA ruling for spousal assault) and children (pro-forced birth) is especially evident.

Lastly, as the book highlights, no “side” or group is without its extremist segments and we must be ever vigilant and prepared to stop radicalization that leads to extremism and violence as it serves no one.

Good book

Very academic book. If you want a Masters, read it. If you want more of a less academic book, don’t read this.
Jason Blum
Wash DC

Straightforward analysis of extremism.

Narration is acceptable, actually, a bit better than that.

As brief as this audio is, it could have been reduced to2–2.5 hours of listening, as a lot of the information is unnecessarily reiterated.

I RECOMMEND this audio, because the authors simple definition of extremism makes sense and is supported by extensive research, including compelling examples.