Militants use violence to further a cause and are associated with extremism and terrorism. They may work alone or in small groups and see themselves as martyrs. Militant activists can be verbally aggressive and alienate others in their movement. Militants are often led by charismatic leaders and can be supported or treated as terrorists. Some become famous icons or martyrs.
A militant is someone who isn’t afraid to use verbal or physical violence to further a cause. Historically, militants have been closely associated with extremism and sometimes even terrorism, as they are closely associated with violent activity. A number of organizations and people self-identify as militants, aiming to project a very characteristic image of themselves.
Much like “military,” the word “militant” comes from a Latin word meaning “to serve as a soldier,” but militants are not directly associated with any particular military and often work alone or in small groups. Many see themselves as martyrs to a cause, willing to go to any lengths to achieve a desired goal, be it the liberation of a nation or the promotion of veganism. One’s position on militants tends to vary, depending on who the militants are and the cause they support.
While you may connect the concept of militancy with armed scoundrels striving for social and political change, you may also have heard it used in rhetoric simply to refer to someone with very strong and clearly stated opinions. These militants may or may not actively engage in physical violence, but they are certainly highly verbally aggressive, sometimes alienating other people in their movement, and many justify acts of violence with the rhetoric of their causes, even if they do not personally practice violence. Militant activists are often a source of frustration for people who agree with their cause but don’t support extremism, because radical activists can give an entire movement a bad name.
In the sense of someone who practices violence, a militant typically has at least some training in weapons and military tactics, although the degree of skill varies. Militants are often led by charismatic leaders who demand absolute loyalty and cohesion in their groups, and can be found in a wide variety of locations. In some cases, militants are actively supported as they attempt to overthrow governments or implement regime change, because other governments deem their cause worthy, while in other cases, militants are treated as terrorists undermining security and safety.
Some militants have become famous as icons for their causes and sometimes even as martyrs. For people who don’t come from cultures with a long-standing militant tradition, the idea of becoming militant may seem a little strange, but for people with a history of cultural oppression and frustration, many militants are glorified, because they are perceived as as heroes.
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