Here’s Wikipedia on what Meir Kahane thought of Kahanism:
According to Kahane, the term “Kahanism” is primarily used by those who are ignorant of Torah Judaism in order to discredit his ideology, which he asserted is rooted in Halakha and the same as Torah Judaism.
This isn’t about my assorted personal disagreements with his exegesis, nor anyone else’s. Man is fallible. Men specialize. Even a true prophet of God wouldn’t dare say his words are “the same” as Torah, and for good reason. Anything manmade implicitly bears that disclaimer.
What Kahane meant with that — and which is correct, is the vast majority of his opponents (apart from being radically ignorant) were intellectually dishonest at every turn, appealing to authority, tradition, status quo, clericalism, etc. etc. Even if wrong, all his work was Torah. Even if right, almost all his thoroughgoing enemies’ comments are anti-Torah.
If all that is meant by “Kahanism” is applying the spirit of free inquiry to Torah study, then the term bears misleading etymology. So the term “Kahanism” would be effective as a mental shortcut, or slogan, in some cases, or as a life-shortener when offending enemies.
Disclaimer: I’m a bit tired. But I still think I’m right.