Differentiation between Definitions of Extremism and Terrorism as a Necessity in Contemporary Security Culture

Abstract

Through elaborating the importance of differentiating extremism and terrorism as especially intriguing forms of political violence, the authors noticed that these notions are often intertwined, misused, or (most often) identified as equal. Correct differentiation between extremism and terrorism, and later between terrorism and terror, their historical context, understanding the circumstances in which they appear and exist, are of the utmost importance for preparation of appropriate counter-measures. In this regard, the aim of this paper is to put the precise theoretical definitions of all of these forms of political violence, into context of selecting the appropriate measures for prevention of and combating not only extremism as a precondition, but also the terrorism as the "final product" of extremist aspirations.