Rational Extremism
The Political Economy of Radicalism

This 2006 book explains how extremist movements may be motivated by rational goals.

Ronald Wintrobe (Author)

9781107407220, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 September 2012

300 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.44 kg

Review of the hardback: 'The work that Ronald Wintrobe offers us is dense, original, and at times, provocative. He forces us to question his arguments instead of reading them passively. … Rational Extremism gives us ideas and allows us to connect it with the most advanced studies in the field of the contemporary social sciences. It is the hallmark of great books.' Sociétal

Extremists are people whose ideas or tactics are viewed as outside the mainstream. Looked at this way, extremists are not necessarily twisted or evil. But they can be, especially when they are intolerant and violent. What makes extremists turn violent? This 2006 book assumes that extremists are rational: given their ends, they choose the best means to achieve them. The analysis explains why extremist leaders use the tactics they do, and why they are often insensitive to punishment and to loss of life. It also explains how rational people can be motivated to die for the cause. The book covers different aspects of extremism such as revolution, suicide terrorism, and global jihad. The arguments are illustrated with important episodes of extremism, including the French Revolution, the rise of nationalism in Yugoslavia under Milosevic, and the emergence of suicide terror and Al Qaeda today.

Introduction
1. The problem of extremism
Part I. Groups: 2. Social interactions, trust and group solidarity
3. Some illustrations and a general framework
Part II. Extremism: 4. The calculus of discontent
5. Can suicide bombing be rational?
6. Religion and suicide terror
Part III. Revolutions, Nationalism and Jihad: 7. Rational revolutions
8. Slobodan Milosevic and the fire of nationalism
9. 'Jihad vs McWorld' revisited
Conclusion
10. Summary of propositions and policy implications.

Subject Areas: Political economy [KCP], Economic theory & philosophy [KCA], Economics [KC], Political control & freedoms [JPV], Political science & theory [JPA], Psychology [JM], Sociology & anthropology [JH]