Introduction

The Introduction situates the larger question examined in the book: How do people label what is democratic and extreme? The chapter briefly describes a common understanding of democracy that equates this form of governance with what is considered mainstream or in the middle of society. Then, the chapter briefly introduces the political party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), whose members were labeled extreme by civil society and government departments. The chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book by explaining that this label created a potential existential crisis for AfD members. To remain politically relevant, they had to establish a democratic identity. The chapter then describes the research methods and settings. It concludes by examining the politics of this book, chapter descriptions, and notes on the author’s writing practices.