Counteracting Extremism in the Context of Social Relations Digitalisation

Introduction. In the Russian legislation there is a definition of the notion "extremism”, the notions "extremist activity", "carrying out extremist activity" are used and the directions of extremist activity counteracting are stipulated. However, in-depth study is required of the nature of extremism, the methods, mechanisms and opportunities of its manifestation, as well as of the evaluative nature of establishing the reasons and consequences of certain actions and statements provoking or encouraging people’s illegitimate and extremist sentiments and actions. The theoretical study of the above issues is required due to the changes in technologies of information distribution, methods of influencing the human behavior and harmful consequences the extremist activity can entail. The article considers the results of the extremism countering legislation overview, analyses the data evaluating the socio-political situation in the subjects of the Russian Federation of the Southern Federal District, discloses the meaning of the notion "extremism" in the framework of the modern methods of countering this type of crime and preventing possible preconditions and reasons for wide spreading such ideology. The study aims at identifying the aspects of concern in extremism counteracting in the context of social relations digitalisation.Materials and Methods. The research objectives are both the notion of "extremism" and its manifestation in various spheres of social relations. The following methods of general scientific knowledge were used: idealisation, formalisation, logical and comparative methods; the empirical and theoretical methods: method of analogies, abstracting, induction and deduction; as well as specific juridical methods: formally juridical, comparative legal, method of legal modeling and legal norms interpreting.Results. Upon studying the Russian legislation in the field of extremism counteracting and its implementation practices, the suggestions were made on the necessity to have a wide-scale discussion and more detailed juridical stipulation of the notion of "extremism", the forms of its manifestation, as well as counteracting facilities, taking into account the modern methods of communication and distribution of information. The significance was proved of extremism prevention and conducting the awareness campaigns called to clarify the governing decisions made at all levels of authority to decrease the possibility of public opinion manipulation and extremist sentiment arising. The analysis of the Russian Ministry of Justice local bodies experience in countering the extremist activity in the socio-political and rule-making spheres was carried out. The attempt was made to find solutions in the topical issues of making the correct governing and rule-making decisions aimed at harmonising the social life and ensuring the security of a person, a society and a state.Discussion and Conclusions. The issues of extremism manifestation, possibilities of its negative influence on the social relations development, state activity, citizens’ and their associations’ well-being are considered through the socio-political situation evaluation done by the local bodies of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation in relation to the non-profit organisations' (hereinafter – NPOs) activity in the subjects of the Russian Federation (their registration, control of the events held by them, receiving the financial support and sources of such support).