What Does It Mean to Be Radical?
It’s not just about advocating extreme political positions
Democratic socialists are rising. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley pulled off upset wins in New York and Massachusetts, support is surging for policies like “Medicare for all” and tuition-free college, and Bernie Sanders is the most popular U.S. politician (who, let’s be honest, would have won). As left-leaning people and policies become more prominent, the term “radical” is being thrown around a lot — but what does it really mean?
Radicalism, especially in a political context, is associated with extreme views and the desire for rapid social change. The precise definition naturally varies by country, depending on existing social structures and political climates.
For example, in the U.S., the idea of overhauling the health care system to replace private insurance with a public plan is often perceived as radical, while Canadians consider their government-funded health care to be quite normal. The idea of eliminating university tuition is a more radical proposal in Canada — in some provinces more than others — yet in Norway, university has long been free for everyone (even foreigners), and citizens receive stipends while pursuing their studies.
