The New Extremism in 21st Century Britain
Since the early 1990s, there has been a growing concern among both academics and the public about the resurgence of extremist and radical movements in the Western world. This book presents new empirical research on the causes of the new extremism in twenty-first-century Britain and the appropriate responses to it by both the state and civil society.
Although a variety of challengers to the liberal political mainstream have emerged, the main focus of attention recently has been on new ethnic and religious movements, including both the growing support for the extreme-right and militant Islamist groups. Both pose critical questions for those concerned with the development of a more cohesive and stable society. Unlike many studies, this volume adopts a holistic approach, bringing together experts from a variety of disciplines to examine the factors that cause support and the potential policy responses, including key issues such as:
examination of the current level of support for Islamism and right-wing extremism;
evaluation of current responses to Islamism and the extreme right, such as Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE), wider public policy and the role of policing and civil society;
analysis of the limited success of the BNP, despite recent reports that many voters apparently share its policy concerns.
Challenging broad assumptions and bringing together leading scholars in this rapidly developing field, this work is essential reading for all those with an interest in terrorism, fascism, political extremism, social cohesion and the future of race relations.
Roger Eatwell is Professor of Comparative European Politics at the University of Bath. His research has focused on a variety of issues relating to extremism, especially historic fascism and the contemporary extreme right.
Matthew J. Goodwin is ESRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Manchester. His research focuses on contemporary extremism, community cohesion and political behaviour.
Routledge studies in extremism and democracy
Series editors
Roger Eatwell, University of Bath and
Matthew Goodwin, University of Manchester
Founding series editors
Roger Eatwell, University of Bath and
Cas Mudde, University of Antwerp-UFSIA
This new series encompasses academic studies within the broad fields of extremism and democracy. These topics have traditionally been considered largely in isolation by academics. A key focus of the series, therefore, is the (inter-)relation between extremism and democracy. Works will seek to answer questions such as to what extent extremist groups pose a major threat to democratic parties, or how democracy can respond to extremism without undermining its own democratic credentials.
The books encompass two strands:
Routledge Studies in Extremism and Democracy includes books with an introductory and broad focus that are aimed at students and teachers. These books will be available in hardback and paperback. Titles include:
Understanding Terrorism in America
From the Klan to al Qaeda
Christopher Hewitt
Fascism and the Extreme Right
Roger Eatwell
Racist Extremism in Central and Eastern Europe
Edited by Cas Mudde
Political Parties and Terrorist Groups (2nd edition)
Leonard Weinberg, Ami Pedahzur and Arie Perliger
The New Extremism in 21st Century Britain
Edited by Roger Eatwell and Matthew Goodwin
Routledge Research in Extremism and Democracy offers a forum for innovative new research intended for a more specialist readership. These books will be in hardback only. Titles include:
1. Uncivil Society?
Contentious politics in post-communist Europe
Edited by Petr Kopecky and Cas Mudde
2. Political Parties and Terrorist Groups
Leonard Weinberg and Ami Pedahzur
3. Western Democracies and the New Extreme Right Challenge
Edited by Roger Eatwell and Cas Mudde
4. Confronting Right Wing Extremism and Terrorism in the USA
George Michael
5. Anti-political Establishment Parties
A comparative analysis
Amir Abedi
6. American Extremism
History, politics and the militia
D. J. Mulloy
7. The Scope of Tolerance: Studies on the Costs of Free Expression and Freedom of the Press
Raphael Cohen-Almagor
8. Extreme Right Activists in Europe
Through the magnifying glass
Bert Klandermans and Nonna Mayer
9. Ecological Politics and Democratic Theory
Mathew Humphrey
10. Reinventing the Italian Right
Territorial politics, populism and post-fascism
Carlo Ruzza and Stefano Fella
11. Political Extremes
An investigation into the history of terms and concepts from antiquity to the present
Uwe Backes
12. The Populist Radical Right in Poland
The patriots
Rafal Pankowski
This work is an ambitious attempt to examine in detail the causes and impacts of far right extremism alongside Islamist inspired extremism. Many may be uneasy about such comparisons but this volume lays to rest such concerns. Above all, it contains choice articles by a strong team of experienced researchers and commentators. There are superb contributions on stategroup relations, policing issues and public attitudes. It should be consulted by all those interested in extremism in modern Britain.
Shamit Saggar, Professor of Political Science, University of Sussex, UK
This book provides some real academic rigour to support the growing development and practice of community cohesion. It will help academics, policy makers and practitioners to understand how this agenda fits together and how national and local interventions in this complex but crucial area can be underpinned by empirical research.
Ted Cantle CBE, Executive Chair, Institute of Community Cohesion (iCoCo), UK
The New Extremism in 21st Century Britain is by far the most important consideration yet of the two principal extremist challenges to the existing political order, namely militant Islamism and far right politics. Eatwell and Goodwin have assembled an expert range of contributors to explore the causes, challenges and coping strategies associated with the rise of extremism in a hitherto largely benign polity. Chapters draw upon a range of attitudinal and electoral evidence to assess the levels of potential and actual support for the British National Party amongst the white working class and for Islamic militancy among British Muslims. Measured, informed and well researched throughout, The New Extremism needs to be read by any student interested in the ongoing challenges to consensus in British politics.
Jon Tonge, President, Political Studies Association of the UK, University of Liverpool, UK
This book sheds considerable light on the causes and consequences of extremism in society. The evidence and argument presented by an expert set of authors is convincing and compelling. This book deserves a wide readership in academia and also among practitioners and policy-makers.
Gerry Stoker, Centre for Citizenship, Globalization and Governance, University of Southampton, UK
For too long politicians have failed to understand, or chosen to ignore, the reasons for the rise of the BNP. It might make uncomfortable reading but Britain, and Britains politicians, need to wake up to the realities of the rise of Nick Griffins racist party. This book provides one of the most challenging and in-depth studies of the BNP. The authors lifted up the stone and peered beneath. It may be an unpleasant picture, but it must not be ignored.
