What Does The Word "Radical" Mean?

[better-dead-than-fed]

I'm asking this on "General Politics" because the word appears in so many articles posted here.

[liberty2897]

Someone who prefers freedom to slavery?

[tangent4ronpaul]

That you just sailed down a handrail on your skateboard?

-t

[better-dead-than-fed]

Someone who prefers freedom to slavery?

Now it all makes sense. Thank you.

[Natural Citizen]

I learned the term from a "surfer dude" back in the 80's. He was just happy go lucky and everything was "radical" to him. Kind of like this feller...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgQ5BJTSv9U&list=UUR9sFzaG9Ia_kXJhfxtFMBA& index=31

[VoluntaryAmerican]

A "radical" is someone willing to murder to get the political change they believe in.

[Acala]

It meets "at the root"

[July]

Radical just refers to the basic elements, building blocks, or fundamental principles of something.... So a radical is literally someone who refers back to basic first principles. Many people seem to associate the word with meaning "extreme" though, and I think that's too bad, since that isn't necessarily the case at all....and it's misleading because it assumes an idea is fringe...but its possible to also have radical moderates and radical centrists, etc....

[cajuncocoa]

outside the mainstream

[Dr.3D]

Definition of RADICAL
1: of, relating to, or proceeding from a root: as
a (1) : of or growing from the root of a plant <radical tubers> (2) : growing from the base of a stem, from a rootlike stem, or from a stem that does not rise above the ground <radical leaves>
b : of, relating to, or constituting a linguistic root
c : of or relating to a mathematical root
d : designed to remove the root of a disease or all diseased and potentially diseased tissue <radical surgery> <radical mastectomy>

2: of or relating to the origin : fundamental

3
a : very different from the usual or traditional : extreme
b : favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions
c : associated with political views, practices, and policies of extreme change
d : advocating extreme measures to retain or restore a political state of affairs <the radical right>
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radical

Seems there is more than one meaning. If you advocate government as if it were by the root they way it was penned in the constitution, you could be declared as having radical thoughts.

Another is if you believe in some fundamental principles of government or religion, you might be declared as having radical thoughts.

The other is to have unusual or extreme ideas, these can also get you labeled as being radical.

Now days, when most of congress believes differently than what was penned in the constitution, anyone thinking what was penned int he constitution is how we should be governed, will be considered as being a radical thinker. If you believe the fundamental principles of American government are written in the U.S. Constitution, you will probably be labeled as a radical thinker, perhaps even what is known as a right wing radical. This is because our government has gone to the extreme left of those principles and they are the ones who will define you as being a radical.

[Reece]

It just means that there is a root. Square root and cube root would be two examples; the square root sign itself is called a radical sign. And, if there was a radical within a radical it would be called a "nested radical." Radicals are often irrational, but not always.

[Warrior_of_Freedom]

calling someone radical, extremist, conspiracy-theorist is the modern version of calling someone a n**ger

[tangent4ronpaul]

There is a reason that books title is "rules for radicals"...

-t

[tangent4ronpaul]

calling someone radical, extremist, conspiracy-theorist is the modern version of calling someone a n**ger

Naw, if you call someone a n**ger, the PC pinko's will scream RACIST!, of if you are being accused get totally behind you...

If you call someone a: "radical, extremist, conspiracy-theorist" they will also call you a racist!

It's all they know...

-t

[better-dead-than-fed]

It seems the mainstream media is throwing the word around carelessly (or deliberately for the sake of propaganda), to promote the idea that certain people are n--gers who we shouldn't tolerate. I'm not sure how the media decide who deserves the "radical" label, but it's always an easy choice once a person has been imprisoned or killed by the government.

[Antischism]

Why does this even have to become synonymous with a racial stereotype? Really, guys?

A "radical" is typically someone who doesn't align with the mainstream and thinks outside of the box, espousing or voicing ideas that are contrary to the norm. This is of course seen as a threat because going against the grain makes you dangerous to the status quo.

[better-dead-than-fed]

Why does this even have to become synonymous with a racial stereotype? Really, guys?

Because the label is used to dehumanize people for no good reason. That's all I meant.