Extremism is like a chameleon that can take on different colours. Sometimes political, sometimes religious, but always radical. And precisely because the world is pretty crazy at the moment, with its political trench warfare and religious squabbles, extremism is totally in for many.

Religious extremism is about people taking their religion so seriously that they find other faiths totally stupid. There are, for example, hardcore fans of the holy scriptures who do not shy away from violence in order to achieve their goals. Political extremism, on the other hand, refers to people who want to completely overturn the political system and society.

The Overton Window
Now you are probably asking yourself: What is normal and what is extreme? This is where the Overton Window comes in. It's a pretty clever concept by American politics professor Joseph P. Overton. It shows us which opinions are in at the moment and which are considered extreme. But like any fashion, the Overton Window changes over time. An example? Environmentalism and climate change used to be totally whacky for many people, now it's totally socially acceptable. Or think about LGBTQ+ rights: today same-sex marriage, adoption rights and much more are completely normal - unthinkable in the past.

Echo chambers and filter bubbles
Extremism begins where tolerance and respect for the freedom of expression of others ends. What is considered extreme varies from country to country and from culture to culture.

And what can be done against extremism? The best weapons are education, media and civic participation. They help us develop critical thinking and provide a platform for discussion. But be careful: if media only represent one opinion, this leads to radicalisation because some people no longer feel represented. So-called echo chambers and filter bubbles can develop, which reinforce polarisation and the emergence of extremist positions.

Sometimes extreme positions can also trigger positive changes by pointing out grievances or necessary changes. But here, too, caution is called for: The possible positive effects do not usually justify the dangers and problems that extremist positions and opinions can bring.

Where should the line be drawn?
The question of where extremism begins is not easy to answer. As in fashion, trends come and go. What is important is that we always remain vigilant and ask ourselves: how far can freedom of expression go without endangering basic democratic values and the freedom of others?

We can all contribute to curbing extremism. Education and exchange are the be-all and end-all. The more we learn from each other and talk to each other, the better we can put ourselves in others' shoes. This helps us to be open to new ideas without losing our own convictions.

Learning to deal with media
The media also play an important role in shaping opinions. If they report in a fair and balanced way, they can help prevent extremist tendencies. At the same time, we must learn to deal critically with the media and not be blinded by headlines. Extremism is a sensitive issue that concerns us all. Even if it is sometimes difficult to draw the line between normal and extreme, we must not close our eyes to it. Only if we actively address it and work together can we create an open and tolerant society in which extremist positions have no place.