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What's Wrong with
Centrist-Extremist Theory?

A collection of links

Two social science models used by the U.S. government--"countersubversion theory" and "centrist/extremist theory"--wrongly assume there is criminal intent and activity behind all mass movements that are critical of the government.¹

Centrist/extremist theory (sometimes called Classical Theory" or the "Pluralist School), lumps together dissidents, populists of the left and right, supremacists and terrorists as an irrational lunatic fringe.

The image of a democratic elite guarding the vital center against irrational populists has appealed strongly to many defenders of the status quo, but as a reading of US political traditions it is strikingly twisted and inconsistent.

Centrist/extremist theory denies the structural oppression at the core of US society; it obscures this country's long history of brutality and genocide; it lumps popular movements that fight oppression and supremacy with those that reinforce it.

Major Study

Repression and Ideology:

"Violent Radicalization," "Extremism," & "Homegrown Terrorism"

How a d iscredited Social Science Model Fuels Efforts to Expand Government Surveillance, Infiltration, & Disruption.

How Police Justify Labelling Dissenters, Demonstrators, and Ordinary Americans as "Terrorists"

by Chip Berlet and Matthew N. Lyons .

Centrist/Extremist Theory:

Harms Civil Liberties

• Implies that Radical Ideas lead to Violent Activity
  • Justification for Widespread Surveillance & Infiltration
• Violent Extremism & Homegrown Terrorism Bill
• Biased Lieberman Committee Hearings on Terrorism
• Demonization of Muslims & Arabs
  • "Leaderless Jihad" Theories

Marginalizes Dissent

• Implies that Ideas Outside the Center are not Legitimate
• Narrows the Boundaries of Civic Political Debate

• Rhetoric of Centrist Democrats Demonizing and Smearing Critics as "Wingnuts:"
• Encourages a Backlash
• Fuels Mobilization against Progressive Ideas
• Makes Organizing Harder for Progressive Activists

Background on Social Movement Theories

• Criticism of Centrist/Extremist Theory
• The Three Competing Theories of Dissent - Frameworks
  • Countersubversion Theory
  • Centrist/Extremist Theory
  • Social Movement Theory
• Study the Right
• Mapping the Right
• Print Resources on Populism