The icon of violent extremism is still the attack on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. But in recent years a lot has changed.
Not only has the extreme right grown considerably, there is also an increasing amount of anti-institutional radicalism, directed against government, science, media and the judiciary. Moreover, extremism and radical conspiracy thinking have become more intertwined, partly due to the COVID crisis. In addition, all kinds of new movements have emerged, such as those of the Incels (involuntary celibates) and those of the ‘sovereigns’ who don’t recognize the government and don’t want to pay taxes.
In this inaugural lecture, Rik Peels explores ways to better understand contemporary radicalisation. Are extremists crazy or are they in fact healthy, rational people? Should science and government listen to them, and how? Can the oldest sciences, philosophy and theology, teach us something about extremism that we have missed so far?