This chapter explores how young people experience a shifting paradigm of extremism, based on surveys and focus groups conducted in five European countries in 2022 within the Participation project. The findings reveal a transformation from structured extremist groups to broader societal processes, driven by post-organisational, post-ideological expressions. Extremism now thrives within remix culture, shaped by aestheticization, gamification, and multi-platform narratives. It is embedded in post-truth cultures and emotion-driven communities, often linked to conspiracy theories. Key factors include evolving gender dynamics and the role of social media. Such extremism is no longer framed by simple “grievances”, but by a more complex process where joining an organisation becomes replaced by joining a narrative. Young people recognise this shift and express scepticism towards government responses, instead seeking new ways to reshape social relationships. This evolving landscape has critical implications for resilience and youth engagement in counter-extremism efforts in Europe today.

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New Paradigms of Extremism: Exploring Young People’s Experience

  • Kevin McDonald

摘要

This chapter explores how young people experience a shifting paradigm of extremism, based on surveys and focus groups conducted in five European countries in 2022 within the Participation project. The findings reveal a transformation from structured extremist groups to broader societal processes, driven by post-organisational, post-ideological expressions. Extremism now thrives within remix culture, shaped by aestheticization, gamification, and multi-platform narratives. It is embedded in post-truth cultures and emotion-driven communities, often linked to conspiracy theories. Key factors include evolving gender dynamics and the role of social media. Such extremism is no longer framed by simple “grievances”, but by a more complex process where joining an organisation becomes replaced by joining a narrative. Young people recognise this shift and express scepticism towards government responses, instead seeking new ways to reshape social relationships. This evolving landscape has critical implications for resilience and youth engagement in counter-extremism efforts in Europe today.