Study Reveals Common Traits Among Radicals and Extremists

Research led by Marc Helbling, a sociologist at the University of Mannheim, has uncovered significant commonalities and differences among individuals with radical, extremist, or fundamentalist views. This study, published on January 24, 2026, in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, is the first of its kind to systematically compare these attitudes across Germany, Great Britain, and the Netherlands.

The research team, which includes Nina Fadarkhan Osenbrügge and Dr. Sebastian Jungkunz from the University of Halle and University of Bamberg, analyzed survey data from over 6,000 respondents. They found that many individuals with these views share similar sociodemographic and sociopsychological backgrounds. In many cases, they are younger men with lower levels of education who feel marginalized and overlooked in society.

Helbling emphasized the importance of understanding these commonalities and differences. “Using newly developed and validated measures, we make commonalities and differences more clearly visible and can better understand the backgrounds of these tendencies—this facilitates developing effective prevention and countermeasures,” he stated.

The study identifies key factors contributing to radical, extremist, and fundamentalist attitudes. These include feelings of disillusionment with politics, social marginalization, experiences of discrimination, and income inequality. Such factors can lead to social isolation and financial disadvantages. While the findings show that individuals with radical views often share these backgrounds, notable differences exist as well.

For instance, the study indicates that women are more likely to be left-wing radicals rather than right-wing. Furthermore, older individuals are generally less likely to adopt fundamentalist, extremist, or left-wing radical views, although they do not show a decrease in right-wing radicalism compared to younger individuals. Interestingly, the research also reveals that religious individuals are more prone to radicalism across various faiths, including Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims. The only exception noted is that Protestants are less inclined towards left-wing radicalism.

The study also provides insight into the prevalence of support for political violence. It indicates that between 4% and 9% of the general population endorses various forms of political violence, while this figure rises to approximately 60% among right-wing and left-wing extremists. In contrast, only 10% to 20% of religious fundamentalists support such violence.

“In all societies analyzed, there is only a small minority that justifies violence. And apparently very few of them also want to use violence themselves. However, merely supporting violence can already legitimize it and thus encourage others to use it,” Helbling summarized.

Defining what constitutes radical, extremist, or fundamentalist views is crucial for understanding this research. The team uses specific definitions: “Extremism” refers to anti-democratic attitudes that challenge the rule of law. Religious fundamentalism shares anti-democratic characteristics but focuses on religious beliefs, asserting a singular interpretation of religious doctrine as the ultimate truth. In contrast, radicalism accepts procedural democracy while opposing the fundamental values of liberal democracy.

Right-wing radicals and extremists express support for ethnic nationalism, racism, and social Darwinism. On the other hand, left-wing radicals and extremists extend the concept of equality to the detriment of individual freedom, promoting socialism, anti-fascism, and opposition to capitalism and imperialism.

This comprehensive analysis highlights the complexities surrounding radical, extremist, and fundamentalist attitudes, shedding light on the factors that drive individuals towards these ideologies. Understanding these dynamics is essential for crafting targeted prevention strategies that address the root causes of radicalization.