Erstellt am: 26. 7. 2011 - 14:49 Uhr

Does populism foster extremism?

The relationship between extreme people and extreme groups, and what the expected US debt default really means.

Today's Reality Check

"Anyone from any walk of life can become an extremist ..."

You may think what happened in Norway was a one-off, that those events are so far removed from the norm that the chances of them occurring again is remote, to say the least. Those who study terrorism may beg to differ. One of our interview partners today was Ghaffar Hussein. He now works for a think tank in London called Quilliam, which specializes in counter terrorism. In his younger days he was a very active supporter of a number of non-violent Islamist organizations in the UK. It made him aware of the darker side of other groups and their potential tendency to cause harm. He says: "Anyone from any walk of life can be recruited ...", but having said that, this was still an unusual incident, and Anders Breivik is not you usual terrorist.

Impressionable minds most vulnerable

So, if anyone can become an extremist but not everyone does, is there a point when someone goes from being a good upright citizen with strong views to an extremist? There is no easy answer but in its simplest form the answer often follows this pattern: an emotional shock that induces past grievances and identity issues. It could be an impressionable mind latching onto the fiery words of a preacher in a religious setting or as in the case of Anders Breivik an individual who starts trawling the internet for groups and figures that inspire him further.

There are extremists in every facet of life, be it in politics, religion or ideology. The challenge is to connect the dots to those who present a real danger and counter the heated rhetoric with better arguments and alternatives to the kind of extremist talk and slogans that society has had the tendency not only to tolerate but also to absorb.

Populism and the far right

Reinhard Heinisch is a professor of political science at the University of Salzburg and an expert in far right political movements. He told Elizabeth Alcock about the relationship between populist parties and far right extremism, and the impact that the tragedy in Norway is likely to have on right wing parties across Europe.

Degrees of default

We're well used to hearing economists declating doom and gloom for Greece's imminent default, but it seems the USA is going to get there first. According to financial experts, the USA will not be able to pay its bills on August 2nd - and Capitol Hill is reverberating to the angry exchanges between the parties, each blaming the other for the mess. Joanna Bostock has been putting together the pieces to find out exactly what US default really means.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to friday from 12 to 14. And after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.