Abstract:

In 1975 the Federal Ministry of the Interior commissioned Infratest Wirtschaftsforschung GmbH to make a study of the causes of political extremism, in particular of leftist extremism. This study is designed to identify the causes for the development of leftist extremist, attitudes and to point out which measures could be taken and where they should be applied in order to prevent the development of attitudes which may lead to extremist behaviour. Thus, the subject of the survey was not to evaluate any political programs or targets but to identify opinions and attitudes which under certain circumstances may lead to extremist behaviour.