Political Science and International Relations Political extremism and radicalism

to explain conceptualisation of extremism and radicalism To explain the issues tied with the extremist movement and their controversy in relation to the democratic character of the state To explain main differences between extremism and radicalism and the level of their acceptability in the society and in the armed forces To remind means of fight against extremism in the Czech republic and in the Armed forces of the Czech republic The aim of the presentation

Content of the presentation Conceptualisation of extremism and radicalism Extremism and the Armed forces of the Czech Republic Fight against extremism in the Czech republic and in the Armed forces of the Czech Republic

Extremism: „Extremism means clearly defined ideological stances which take place outside of constitutional framework, display characteristics of intolerance and attack basic democratic constitutional principles, as defined in Czech constitutional framework“ (Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic). Radicalism: Political stance striving for fundamental uncompromising problem solution. It takes place within the constitutional framework. Conceptualisation

(Anti-)Democracy and (Anti-)Constitutionalism Combined Source: Uwe Backes

Conceptualisation Forms of political extremism in a two-dimensional political space (anti- democratism/anti-constitutionalism) Source: Uwe Backes

Extremism: Conceptualisation Clearly defined ideological stances which take place outside of the constitutional framework, show characteristics of intolerance and attack basic democratic principles and social organization It is concept of political science, alternatively criminological, but not juridical It is understood as extreme positions hostile to the democratic system and activities which have destructive impact on the democratic political- economic system

Crimes with extremist subtext: Conceptualisation Criminal act motivated by race, nation, religion, class or other social group hatred Crimes against symbols or representatives of existing social system which is motivated by the hatred against it

Extremism Right extremism Left extremism Other extremist forms Religion extremism National extremism Ecological extremism Squatting Hooliganism Dangerous sects Terrorism

Main characteristics of right extremism Denies equality of people (on the race or ethnic basis) Rejects democratic constitutional state Prefers hierarchically organized and authoritarian state and social organization Right extremism Strong belief about superiority of one group of the people, belief in need for strong leader and often perception of violence as purifying power The aim is often strong state with race or ethnic homogenous society, strong leader, firm order whose violation has to be strictly punished

Main characteristics of left extremism Stresses importance of equality in all fields of life and society Denies democratic constitutional framework guaranteeing private ownership Left extremism It is usually based on marxist ideology calling for dictatorship of proletariat, so to organized and systematically applied class violence, whose aim is liquidation of private ownership of means of production and also the active opposition and opponents

Religion extremism Denies rights of others by intolerant imposing of its religion Could be defined as dogmatic fanatics or pathological persuasion leading of individual and the whole social units under the name of belief to the extreme acts Other extremist forms National extremism Ethnic and national intolerance manifested by violent displays against groups of different population

Extremism and Czech armed Forces

Focus on symbolism? s

Fight against Exremism in AČR Activity of BIS, MV ČR, VZ, VP Strategy of Fight against Extremism Prevention of socialy undesirable manners (P-SNJ) Novella law No. 221/1999 Sb., about professional soldiers

Military Policy and Extremism Investigation in connection with extremism: YearNumber of cases Number of suspect soldiers Criminal proceedings

Training and Cases of right wing extremism Military Policy

Soldiers Perpetrators in connexion with extremism

Political Science and International Relations Political extremism and radicalism