Survivalism - Perceived Extremism

Perceived Extremism

In popular culture, survivalism has been associated with paramilitary activities. Some survivalists do take active defensive preparations that have military roots and that involve firearms, and this aspect is sometimes emphasized by the mass media.

Kurt Saxon is one proponent of this approach to armed survivalism. Saxon's writings on survival tend toward Social Darwinism and Eugenics. According to Saxon, survivalism is: "Looking out for #1" and being sufficiently armed to defend one's refuge and belongings against hungry people who might demand that others share.

The potential for Societal collapse is often cited as motivation for being well-armed. Thus, some non-militaristic survivalists have developed an unintended militaristic image, and the term survivalism has been used to signify right-wing reactionary paramilitary activities.

Read more about this topic:  Survivalism

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