Contemporary Western Radicalism: An Important Social Trend of Thought
Zhang Guoqing
Abstract: As a kind of social trend of thought, radicalism has always been associated with social unrest, change, reform, revolution, war and conflicts, which have been fully reflected in religion, philosophy, literature and art, culture, politics and the legal system. In the revolutionary or reform era, the social-political views or opinions put forward by the activists often become the guideline or program of action and also are the important means of the people to bid farewell to the old ideas and old life, and welcome the new ideas and new life. The contemporary trend of radicalism are closely linked to both social movements and street politics, reflecting the demands and aspirations of different interest groups, classes, races, and ethnic groups for change of the social status quo. But there are also significant risks, as it would not only wage a war against the reactionary and conservative adversaries, but also injure the progressive revolutionary forces, which poses a challenge to the existing social order and merits the careful attention of the whole society.
Keywords: radicalism, social change, the Enlightenment, social order
张国清，浙江大学公共管理学院教授、政治学研究所所长，求是特聘学者。研究方向为外国哲学、政治哲学、法哲学、公共危机管理、公共伦理。主要著作有《社会治理研究》《和谐社会研究》《后现代情境》《无根基时代的精神状况：罗蒂哲学思想研究》等。
