What you call "Islamic extremism" I call authoritarian, democratic Muslim populism. The royal families in the Middle East where given their power politically, economically and militarily by their European masters. However, in countries like Iran and Pakistan where authoritarian religious policies do pop up, people do want it to some extent even though they inevitably don't agree with the implementation and it is a democratic process. The issue going on in Muslim societies is similar to the one going on here in many ways once you strip away the religious framework, it is basically a battle of authoritarian collectivism, particularly in a democratic framework where mob justice can rule, infringing on freedom and ruining culture!