Political extremism is defined as an extreme political belief system that goes beyond traditional politics, often based on a totalitarian view of the world. It can manifest itself in various ways, such as violence, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, religious fanaticism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, misogyny, nationalism, militarism, imperialism, or class warfare. Sexual absolutism, on the other hand, is a moral belief that certain forms of sexual behavior are always wrong. Both extremism and absolutism are characterized by intolerance towards differences, which leads to the rejection of anything outside their ideology. They both reflect a rigid, one-dimensional way of thinking, where there is no room for nuances or contradictions.
I will explore how political extremism generates forms of sexual absolutism that mirror ideological intolerance. By looking at historical examples from different countries and periods, I will demonstrate how these phenomena have influenced each other throughout history and continue to do so today. Specifically, I will focus on three aspects: gender roles, power relations, and the use of language.
Let's consider the role of gender roles. Extremist movements tend to be patriarchal and oppressive towards women, while absolutists seek to control female bodies and sexuality.
Nazi Germany imposed strict gender norms on its citizens, with men expected to be strong, masculine, and dominant, while women were supposed to stay at home and care for children. This led to the persecution of people who did not conform to these expectations, such as homosexuals, Jews, and gypsies. In modern-day extremist groups like ISIS, women are seen as property to be owned and controlled by men, and sexually abused if they disobey them. At the same time, some radical feminists argue that all heterosexual relationships are inherently oppressive, leading to calls for totalitarian measures against men.
We can see how power dynamics play a crucial role in shaping attitudes towards sex. Extreme nationalism often involves a sense of superiority over others, which leads to violence and conquest. Absolutists seek to enforce their own moral code through force, seeing themselves as the only ones with the truth. In both cases, there is little room for negotiation or compromise.
During the Crusades, Christian knights saw it as their duty to conquer Muslim lands and impose their religion and morality on those they considered heathens. Similarly, Islamic jihadists justify terror attacks by claiming that non-believers must convert or die. In contemporary politics, conservative leaders have used sex scandals and campaigns against abortion rights to win elections and consolidate power.
Language plays an essential role in creating a climate of intolerance. Extremist movements use propaganda and slogans to demonize outsiders, while absolutists resort to simplistic arguments and binary thinking.
Nazi Germany coined the term "Untermensch" ("subhuman") to dehumanize Jews and other minorities, making it easier to kill them. Some fundamentalist religious groups call homosexuals "deviants" or "perverts," justifying physical or sexual assault against them. In today's political discourse, we can observe a similar trend of using loaded terms like "feminazi," "political correctness," or "SJW" (social justice warrior) to discredit opponents.
This article has explored how political extremism generates forms of sexual absolutism that mirror ideological intolerance. By looking at historical examples from different countries and periods, we can see how these phenomena influence each other through gender roles, power dynamics, and the use of language. It is crucial to acknowledge the dangers of these ideologies and work towards promoting tolerance, pluralism, and respect for diversity.
How does political extremism generate forms of sexual absolutism that mirror ideological intolerance?
Political extremists tend to have a narrow viewpoint on sexuality and often promote rigid, inflexible ideas about gender roles and relationships, which can lead to a lack of tolerance for alternative lifestyles and attitudes. This is similar to how they may be intolerant of different perspectives on politics or other issues.