In this article, I propose a theoretical framework that provides a new perspective on the variation and contestation of P/CVE (Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism) policies in the world. Drawing on the public policy literature, I argue that P/CVE emerged in response to the policy problem of terrorism, but then absorbed other types of counter-extremism policies centred on policy problems of anti-system activism and separatism. Each of these policy problems tends to attach to different policy goals, means, and instruments and targets different levels of population, which results in implementation differences. I also argue that the choice of counter-extremism policy instruments and their calibration reflects the dominant tendency towards either human-centric or state-centric security paradigms, which further adds to the diversity of what is today indiscriminately labelled as P/CVE.