The ECPR's Standing Group on Extremism and Democracy continues to go from strength to strength, with group membership now approaching 500. Recent joiners have come from a diverse variety of research fields, including religious fundamentalism, post-communism and terrorism. There are still some groups of scholars who are under-represented among the membership, especially those working on ecologism (who tend to be sympathisers and resistant to the label 'extremism' - although as we have made clear in past issues, we use this term mainly as a shorthand convenience). There are also relatively few people who work on more philosophical issues, including the specific relationship between democracy and extremism.
The last issue has been particularly highlighted in the months since September 11. Indeed, in the USA Amitai Etzioni and others have been prominent in promoting debates about whether it is necessary to curb democratic freedoms in the cause of fighting terrorism and the enemies of (liberal) democracy. We feel that this is an issue which needs addressing carefully, and Roger Eatwell and Cas Mudde would particularly welcome proposals relevant to this theme for their Routledge series on Extremism and Democracy (the first volume in this series, by Chris Hewitt of the University of Maryland Baltimore on Understanding American Terrorism: from the Klan to al Qaeda, will appear later in 2002).
The Editors would also like to repeat their earlier calls for feedback on the Newsletter. The (limited) responses so far have complimented us especially on the Book Reviews and Publications Alert (a special thanks to Cas Mudde). But we would like feedback on whether there is a demand for short articles, or for some form of interactive discussion group (if someone can be arranged to run this!) To turn to matters new, we are also interested in whether members would like a forum in which to meet in person. The one and only meeting of the Standing Group so far took place at the ECPR joint workshops at Grenoble in 2001, and this has resulted in a contract for a book (jointly edited by Cas and Roger) on Democracy and the New Extreme Right Challenge. Should we be looking ahead to plan a workshop at the 2004 joint sessions (it is now too late to offer a workshop for Edinburgh in 2003), or one for APSA etc.? And what might the theme be? As the SG has expanded beyond its primarily European/USA-extreme right base, it has in some ways become more difficult to think of themes which might interest a broad spectrum of members. We look forward to hearing from you.