Public Events

Program and Abstracts:

• 10:30–10:45 Opening Remarks, Prof. Benita Heiskanen, Prof. Martin Cloonan, and Dr. Niko Heikkilä

• 10:45–11:00 Dr. Jani Sinokki, "What Is Extremism?" 

• 11:00–12:00 Prof. Joshua C. Wilson, "Playing with Fire: Managing Extremism in Building Modern American Conservatism"

  • Abstract: In her 1969 essay “Reflections on Violence,” Hannah Arendt refers to violence as “instrumental by nature,” and an “effective weapon of reformers,” but a tool that is highly volatile and risky. To this end, she writes that “the danger of the practice of violence…will always be that the means overwhelm the end,” and that “the most probable change is a more violent world.” While extremism and violence can, and should, be distinguished from one another, Arendt’s instrumental view of violence is a useful one for considering extremism in politics. Both have a strong allure, and those drawn to either often believe that they can wield and control a highly volatile tool. In this talk, I will consider cases of extremism’s instrumental allure in developing modern American conservatism and ask if it was managed effectively, or if it’s use is more accurately seen as producing a more extreme political world. While a larger context will be provided, specific attention will be given to abortion politics and the conservative legal movement.

  • Chair: Prof. Benita Heiskanen 

• 12:00–12:15 Break 

• 12:15–13:15 TIAS Panel: Dealing with Extremes: 

  • How do academics deal with extreme political regimes, extreme views, and extreme organisations? This panel of researchers from Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS) examines the theoretical and practical implications of researching extremes. Panelists: Dr. Pekka Kolehmainen, Dr. Sasha Nenko, Dr. Timo Pankakoski, Dr. Raha Saverstany Sabet

  • Chair: Prof. Martin Cloonan 

• 13:15–14:15 Lunch break

• 14:15–15:15 Dr. Gwenaëlle Bauvois, “Tracing the Historical Roots of Extremist Narratives in Finland and Beyond”

  • Abstract: Over the last two decades, the far right has become a major political force in Europe, considerably increasing its influence and winning over 20% of the seats in the 2024 European Parliamentary elections. Since 2010, far right parties have also gained power in several countries, either alone or in coalition with other parties, including in Finland. Have politics become "extreme"? To understand this current situation, we need to look back. The extremist narratives we are encountering today did not emerge in a vacuum. Identifying their origins and roots is essential for analysing their current spread in political and media spheres, as well as their impact on democracy. This talk explores the historical roots of extremist narratives in Europe and examine how they have evolved and transformed, especially around the themes of nation and gender. We will focus on Finland as a case study, linking it to the broader European context to highlight both the transnational spread of extremist narratives and their shared characteristics.

  • Chair: Dr. Oscar Winberg 

• 15:15–15:30 Break 

• 15:30–17:30 Film, Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006), followed by discussion

  • Chair: Doctoral Researcher Mila Seppälä