Extreme Right Wing Political Violence And Terrorism

In this collection, senior experts explore all aspects of extreme right wing political violence, from the nature of the threat, processes of engagement, and ideology to the lessons that can be drawn from exiting such engagement. Further, right wing activism and political violence are compared with Jihadi violence and engagement. Also, the European experience is placed within a greater framework, including that of the United States and the Arab Spring. The book opens with an essay on U.S. far right groups, investigating their origins and processes of recruitment. It then delves into violence against UK Mosques and Islamic centers, the relationship between Ulster loyalism and far right extremism, the Dutch extremist landscape, and the July 2011 Norway attacks. Also discussed are how narratives of violence are built and justified, at what point do individuals join into violence, and how differently states respond to left-wing vs. right-wing extremism. This comparative work offers a unique look into the very nature of right wing extremism and will be a must-read for anyone studying political violence and terrorism

A Transnational History of Right-Wing Terrorism offers new insights into the history of right-wing extremism and violence in Europe, East and West, from 1900 until the present day. It is the first book to take such a broad historical approach to the topic. The book explores the transnational dimension of right-wing terrorism; networks of right-wing extremists across borders, including in exile; the trading of arms; the connection between right-wing terrorism and other forms of far-right political violence; as well as the role of supportive elements among fellow travelers, the state security apparatus, and political elites. It also examines various forms of organizational and ideological interconnectedness and what inspires right-wing terrorism. In addition to several empirical chapters on prewar extreme-right political violence, the book features extensive coverage of postwar right-wing terrorism including the recent resurgence in attacks. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of right-wing extremism, fascism, Nazism, terrorism, and political violence.

In this collection, senior experts explore all aspects of extreme right wing political violence, from the nature of the threat, processes of engagement, and ideology to the lessons that can be drawn from exiting such engagement. Further, right wing activism and political violence are compared with Jihadi violence and engagement. Also, the European experience is placed within a greater framework, including that of the United States and the Arab Spring. The book opens with an essay on U.S. far right groups, investigating their origins and processes of recruitment. It then delves into violence against UK Mosques and Islamic centers, the relationship between Ulster loyalism and far right extremism, the Dutch extremist landscape, and the July 2011 Norway attacks. Also discussed are how narratives of violence are built and justified, at what point do individuals join into violence, and how differently states respond to left-wing vs. right-wing extremism. This comparative work offers a unique look into the very nature of right wing extremism and will be a must-read for anyone studying political violence and terrorism

This book comprehensively examines right-wing extremism (RWE) in Canada, discussing the lengthy history of violence and distribution, ideological bases, actions, organizational capacity and connectivity of these extremist groups. It explores the current landscape, the factors that give rise to and minimise these extremist groups, strategies for countering these groups, and the emergence of the ‘Alt-Right’. It draws on interviews with law enforcement officials, community activists, and current and former right-wing activists to inform and offer practical advice, paired with analyses of open source intelligence on the state of the RWE movement in Canada. The historical and contemporary contours of right-wing extremism in Canada are situated within the social, political, and cultural landscape that has shaped the movement. It will be of particular interest to students and researchers of criminology, sociology, social justice, terrorism and political violence.

This book is the first collection of scholarship featuring both Canadian and American scholarship on the resurgent right-wing extremist movement in the two countries. It is particularly timely given the recent rise in political populism that has engendered renewed activism from extreme right contingents. Trump’s right-wing populist and white nationalist political campaign has galvanized Canadian and American white supremacist ideologies, identities, movements and practices. Leading Canadian and American scholars are brought together to explore a contemporary array of current dynamics, patterns and characteristics associated with the movement in each country. Split into four sections, it provides an introduction to extremism in the 21st century, it examines studying extremism, forms of extremist activity and violence, and the responses. The collection allows comparisons to be drawn out from the distinct treatments of each country. It speaks to students as well as scholars in social sciences departments, including criminology, sociology, social justice, and terrorism, peace and security studies, and political-violence related programs.

This book is the first comprehensive academic study of German right-wing terrorism since the early 1960s available in the English language. It offers a unique in-depth analysis of German violent, extremist right-wing movements, terrorist events, groups, networks and individuals. In addition, the book discusses the so-called ‘National Socialist Underground’ (NSU) terror cell, which was uncovered in late 2011 by the authorities. The NSU had been active for over a decade and had killed at least ten people, as well as executing numerous bombings and bank robberies. With an examination of the group’s support network and the reasons behind the failure of the German authorities, this book sheds light on right-wing terrorist group structures, tactics and target groups in Germany. The book also contains a complete list of all the German right-wing terrorist groups and incidents since the Second World War. Based on the most detailed dataset of right-wing terrorism in Germany, this book offers highly valuable insights into this specific form of political violence and terrorism, which has been widely neglected in international terrorism research.

In many countries, terrorism and political violence at the late 1980s and early 1990s have increasingly gravitated towards the extreme right, in the direction of racism and extreme nationalism. In most cases, violence and harassment are directed against ethnic or social minorities, such as immigrants, left-wing activists or homosexuals, but sometimes even the political establishment is defined as an enemy and a legitimate target of violence. What characterizes the ideologies and world-views of right-wing extremist groups? Whom do they see as their main 'enemies', and what kinds of threats are these enemies perceived to represent? How do militant activists relate to the state, the established power structures, and wider political movements? How, and under what circumstances, do aggressive ideology and rhetoric translate into actual violence and terrorism? In this first general and comparative volume with a focus on right-wing terrorism across the world, ten leading experts address these questions. Case studies focus on militant groups in North America, South Africa, Japan, Italy, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries. The findings throw a fascinating light on the international dimensions at right-wing extremism, and how racist ideologies travel and combine with other conceptions. The authors have also made important observations on the relationship between ideological organizations and the less unorganized groups which often carry out most of the actual violence. Other findings relate to the relationship between criminal behaviour and political violence, and to the social background of the perpetrators. The book gives new insight into the radicalization processes which produce right-wing extremist violence. Equally important, however, is the emphasis on factors and circumstances which might serve to restrain militant groups from following their extremist ideas to their ultimate violent conclusions.

This study draws upon declassified government documents, NGO reports and extremist literature to provide a thought-provoking account of the extreme right challenge in America. It will provide an invaluable resource to students of terrorism, political violence and right-wing extremism, as well as appealing to the general reader with an interest in contemporary American politics."--Jacket.