radicalism

[rad-i-kuh-liz-uhm]

noun

1. extreme views or practices, or the tendency to favor them, as in politics or religion; extremism.

   In the long term, the peace we seek will only be achieved by eliminating the conditions that feed radicalism and ideologies of violence.

radicalism

/ ˈrædɪkəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the principles, desires, or practices of political radicals

2. a radical movement, esp in politics

3. the state or nature of being radical, esp in politics

Other Word Forms

• antiradicalism noun
• radicalistically adverb
• radicalistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of radicalism¹

First recorded in 1810–20; radical + -ism

Example Sentences

The people have spoken, for better or worse, and his voters were willing to take a risk on his radicalism in the name of change.

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The potential silver lining for the country in Tuesday’s results—small comfort to anyone paying New Jersey taxes—is that Democrats can see a model of electoral success that isn’t rooted in radicalism.

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What a coincidence that “Bugonia” expands nationwide the same day, just in time to remind viewers of how easily radicalism can be made frivolous by those unwilling to take it seriously.

Read more on Salon

Elements of antisemitism and Islamist radicalism are present in the anti-Israel protests that have swept Western nations—with protesters in some cases carrying Hamas and Hezbollah flags and engaging in anti-Jewish chants.

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He added: "We need to rediscover that radicalism with a proper industrial strategy. The government has got one but it is not as ambitious as I'd like."

Read more on BBC