Extremism was very limited in the countries of ‘people’s democracy’. It was a result of strong influence of political and police regime. Propaganda information and symbols of different extreme left-wing and right-wing groups were found only in western countries. However, it doesn’t mean that the extremist groups didn’t exist in the 80s. Increased activity of skinheads (as nationalists) and anarchists ( in form of punks) was noticed in the second half of the 80’s and first half of the 90’s. Their activity was associated mainly with groups of football hooligans and music which accompanied them, and to some extent with ideas promoted by them. Modern extremism is far more dangerous and infects larger and larger groups of youth population with its ideas. What is worse, the phenomenon of extremism becomes more and more ‘mutated’ and resistant to a variety of measures undertaken by the state. Although there is still a lack of social acceptance, the last decade’s events show that extremism is undergoing a slow and continuous process of putting words into action. Effective countermeasures against extremist practices include the fight with their negative symptoms, which, cannot be limited only to prevention activities or action aimed at making extremist organizations illegal. There is a strong need to create the system for preventing and fighting extremism, similar to that for combatting terrorism. Educational programmes for youngsters, parents and teaching personnel should be of fundamental importance to the issue in question.