Radicalisation and extremism

Political Capital was among the first to conduct systemic research into extremist movements founded after the democratic transition. Our institute has continuously been monitoring and analysing domestic far-right parties and organisations’ activities and examining the social demand for extremist views. We not only research the topic but try to actively help the fight against radicalisation and hate speech with communication supplements, educational material and trainings.

We developed our Demand for Right-Wing Extremism Index (DEREX), containing information on over 30 countries, based on data from the European Social Survey. We discussed the spread of conspiratorial thinking, the characteristics of and changes to anti-Roma sentiments and anti-Semitism in numerous studies and publications, but we also touched upon prejudices against the LMBTQ community and refugees.

Political Capital enjoys widespread international recognition in the field of radicalism research, it is cooperating with numerous well-known organisations. In the EU programme focusing on preventing hate crime (ISEC), we developed a research methodology for measuring political violence. In cooperation with the British Institute for Strategic Dialogue and The Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace, we compiled radicalism prevention training packages. We are a member of the expert group in the Radicalisation Awareness Network Centre of Excellence, the European Commission’s advisory body on radicalism prevention and disseminating best practices.