Analysing Extremism, Advocating Cohesion

Methodology

Definition of extremism

The Extremism Atlas adopts the definition of extremism used by the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD). Within this framework, extremism encompasses ideologies, movements, and actors that fundamentally reject the democratic constitutional order and seek to undermine or replace it through anti-democratic means.

Threats to the democratic rule of law may take multiple forms: violence or the threat thereof, terrorist attacks, kidnapping, systematic disruption of public order, the financing or facilitation of extremist activity, and the ideological radicalisation of youth. The Atlas focuses exclusively on actors that cross this threshold and demonstrate a clear extremist orientation according to these criteria.

Scope and geographic focus

The primary geographic focus of the Extremism Atlas is the Netherlands. The database includes groups operating within the Netherlands, groups originating in the Netherlands, and transnational networks with documented Dutch membership.

This approach reflects the increasingly transnational and networked nature of contemporary extremist movements. While the current scope is national, the project is designed to expand toward broader European coverage in future iterations.

What constitutes a group

Extremist movements operate through a wide range of organisational forms. For this reason, the Atlas includes formal organisations, informal networks, online communities and subcultures, influencer ecosystems, and lone actors operating within recognised ideological movements.

To be included in the Atlas, an entity must demonstrate sustained activity and ideological coherence. As a minimum threshold, a group or network must have been active for at least one month and show evidence of coordination, communication, or collective identity beyond isolated online activity.

Classification framework

Extremist actors are classified through a branching taxonomy that situates movements within a broader ideological ecosystem. Groups are initially categorised within major ideological domains: right-wing extremism, left-wing extremism, anti-institutional extremism, religious extremism, conspiracy-driven extremism, ethno-nationalist extremism, and single-issue extremism. These domains function as analytical entry points rather than rigid boundaries, as many extremist movements draw on elements from multiple ideological traditions simultaneously.

Within each domain, groups are organised using a layered classification structure that moves from the broadest ideological framing down to individual actors. The diagram below illustrates this structure.

Many contemporary groups combine ideological influences, strategic narratives, and tactical approaches drawn from multiple traditions. For this reason, the Atlas allows groups to be tagged across multiple ideological domains, enabling the visualisation of ideological overlap between movements.

Ideology, motive, tactic

Each group entry in the Atlas is analysed through three interconnected analytical dimensions. Ideology refers to the narrative worldview, philosophical foundations, and theoretical frameworks that shape how a movement interprets politics, society, and identity. Motive refers to the grievances, goals, and perceived injustices that drive mobilisation within extremist movements. Tactics describe how movements attempt to translate their beliefs into action, including propaganda and narrative dissemination, recruitment and network building, demonstrations and mobilisation, harassment and intimidation campaigns, weapons acquisition and training, and terrorist planning or violent attacks.

In addition to activity type, the Atlas records a separate indicator measuring a movement's propensity toward violent escalation.

Tactical and operational focus

Many publicly available resources primarily document the historical background of extremist movements. The Extremism Atlas instead emphasises the tactical and operational dimensions of contemporary extremist networks. Entries therefore prioritise information on recruitment strategies, communication platforms, tactical practices, ideological alliances, and network relationships between groups. This approach situates extremist actors within a broader ecosystem of movements, narratives, and operational practices.

Mapping and network analysis

The Atlas integrates geographic and network-based visualisation tools to map the extremist ecosystem. Groups are mapped geographically based on known areas of activity or presence, and the mapping interface allows movements to be tagged across multiple ideological domains. Connections between groups are recorded and categorised according to the nature of the relationship: shared ideology, organisational lineage, active collaboration, shared membership networks, or ideological inspiration and influence.

Early signal detection

In addition to established groups, the Atlas maintains an Early Signals section focused on identifying emerging movements before they receive widespread media or institutional attention. A movement may be categorised as an early signal when it demonstrates emerging ideological coherence, small but identifiable networks, limited but growing activity, and an increasing online or offline presence. Once sufficient evidence of sustained organisation and activity emerges, movements may be reclassified as confirmed extremist groups within the Atlas.

Sources and verification

The Atlas relies on a combination of open-source intelligence and academic research methods. Sources include academic literature, government reports, court documents, investigative journalism, open-source intelligence analysis, and primary extremist materials such as propaganda or manifestos. Information is cross-checked across multiple sources wherever possible to ensure accuracy and transparency. References to extremist materials are included strictly for analytical and research purposes.

Research integrity and neutrality

The Extremism Atlas is an analytical research platform. It documents extremist ideologies, movements, and networks for the purposes of understanding and analysis. The project does not endorse or promote any extremist ideology or political position.