The basic definition of terms presented in the reports relating to extremist issues approved by Government Resolutions No. 192/1998 and No. 720/1999 remains valid.6
Under the term extremism we understand activities having, as a rule, a clear-cut ideological context which deviates markedly from legal, constitutional standards, with explicit elements of intolerance and which attack democratic principles and the social order. Extremism is in essence a political, not a legal term, which is characterised by an anti-establishment attitude and is not interchangeable with expressions such as "terrorist", "criminal" etc. It is a common term for extremely pointed and hostile attitudes towards democratic systems, which act destructively, whether directly or in terms of their long-term consequences, against the existing democratic political and economic system. In other words, they endeavour to replace the democratic system with an antagonistic one (totalitarian regime, dictatorship, anarchy). Thus this Report uses a unified term of extremism for activities aimed at the destruction of a constitutional establishment and values, which such a system protects. The world political literature usually distinguishes left-wing from right-wing extremism, but also religious, environmental and (in some cases) nationalistic extremism. The last three forms have not appeared in their clear, unambiguous form in the Czech Republic. The explanation is therefore focused on right-wing extremists (inspired by and predominantly using national, racial, and ethnical hate, and demonstrating their sympathy for historical fascism and Nazism) and left-wing extremists (motivated mainly by social, anti-cultural hate, having a liking for historical communism and anarchy). The further explanation illustrates that sometimes it is difficult to find a criterion for these types of extremism. Some politologists cast doubt upon the term, "extremism", and they point out that using this term can simplify the whole matter. Although such thoughts inspired especially by Anglo-American literature are interesting and stimulating, we find it necessary to introduce and use the term "extremism" in this Report – the discussion on more suitable terms can be held pararelly on the academic level.
Under the term crime with an extremist subtext or crime of an extremist nature, it is understood to mean an unlawful conduct in connection with extremism, which fulfils the features of the factual basis of a crime or misdemeanour. 7 This involves, in particular, the following crimes committed in connection with extremism: