In today's society, political extremism is becoming more prevalent than ever before. It is no secret that there are strong feelings among those who identify themselves as either "left" or "right," and these feelings often lead to extreme behavior.
What many people may not realize is how this kind of thinking can affect their mental health. One particular area where political extremism can have an effect is in terms of psychological tendencies toward eroticized visions of purity, danger, or heroic sacrifice. This concept was originally described by Robert J. Stoller in his book "Sexual Excitement: The Politics of Eros." Stoller suggested that when people feel threatened, they will seek out purity or danger in order to protect themselves from feeling vulnerable. He also argued that eroticized ideas of purity, danger, and heroic sacrifice could be used to justify violence against others.
Purity
Purity is a key element of political extremism because it represents a sense of moral superiority. When someone feels like they are part of a group that is morally superior, they often become more aggressive towards anyone who challenges them or disagrees with them. This is especially true when it comes to sexual intimacy.
If a person believes that homosexuality is wrong, then they may feel the need to lash out at any perceived threat to their way of life. They may see other genders or races as dangerous, and thus want to keep them away from their own family and friends. In some cases, this can lead to violent acts such as murder or rape.
Danger
Danger is another aspect of political extremism that can lead to feelings of arousal and excitement. People who believe that certain groups of people pose a threat to their way of life may become excited by thoughts of destroying those groups. They may fantasize about fighting back or even killing these enemies in an attempt to restore order. This kind of thinking can easily spiral into actual violence, which is why it's important for individuals struggling with political extremism to get help before things escalate too far.
Heroic Sacrifice
There is the idea of heroic sacrifice, which can come into play when someone wants to prove themselves through action. This can manifest itself in various ways depending on the individual, but usually involves putting oneself in harm's way in order to defend one's beliefs or identity.
Someone might join a terrorist organization in order to fight against what they see as an enemy of their religion or culture. Or, they could engage in physical combat with protestors during a demonstration in order to protect their property or community. The risk-taking involved in both situations can provide a sense of thrill, making it more likely that the person will continue down this path.
How does political extremism amplify psychological tendencies toward eroticized visions of purity, danger, or heroic sacrifice?
Political extremists are often characterized by their belief that they are superior to others based on racial, cultural, social, or religious differences. This feeling of superiority can lead to an eroticization of perceived purity and danger, as well as a need for heroic sacrifice.