Extremism in America - by George Michael (Paperback)

About the Book

Gathers essays by area specialists to provide an assessment of contemporary American extremism, exploring the views of each group in context and examining the tension between civil liberties and possible threats to society.

Book Synopsis

"A first-rate survey of the various strands of domestic extremism, from far left to far right, that are increasingly convulsing our country. A must-read for students, scholars, officials, and others entering this important field."--Mark Potok, Southern Poverty Law Center

"With contributions on areas ranging from anti-abortion extremism to modern anarchism and black nationalism, this is a fascinating study of an often neglected and vital area of American politics."--Martin Durham, author of White Rage: The Extreme Right and American Politics

The American Republic was born in revolt against the British crown, and ever since, political extremism has had a long tradition in the United States. To some observers, the continued presence of extremist groups--and the escalation of their activities--portends the fragmentation of the country, while others believe such is the way American pluralism works. The word extremism often carries negative connotations, yet in 1964 Barry Goldwater famously said, "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice."

Extremism in America is a sweeping overview and assessment of the various brands of bigotry, prejudice, zealotry, dogmatism, and partisanship found in the United States, including the extreme right, the antiglobalization movement, Black Nationalism, Chicano separatism, militant Islam, Jewish extremism, eco-extremism, the radical antiabortion movement, and extremist terrorism.

Many of these forms of single-minded intolerance are repressed by both the state and society at large, but others receive significant support from their constituencies and enjoy a level of respectability in some quarters of the mainstream. The essays in this volume examine the relationship between these movements and the larger society, dissect the arguments of contemporary American anarchist activists, look at recent trends in political extremism, and suggest how and why such arguments resonate with a considerable number of people.

Review Quotes

"In an era of increasing 'lone wolf' terrorism, it is important to be reminded of the larger world of radicalized movements from which it often, but not always, emerges. Extremism in America, edited by George Michael, takes up this timely issue with a survey of various extremist movements."--Politics and Religion


"Those looking to confirm their biases may be surprised and enlightened by what they find. . . . Some of these examples show how American culture changed without bullets or sophisticated technology--the true power of people."--Choice

About the Author

George Michael, associate professor of criminal justice at Westfield State University in Massachusetts, is the author of five books, including Lone Wolf Terror and the Rise of Leaderless Resistance, Theology of Hate, and Willis Carto and the American Far Right.