has gained vast amounts of media attention over the last few years as it is the main ideological background of the most modern-day terrorist attacks in the United States (Chermak & Gruenewald,...Show morehas gained vast amounts of media attention over the last few years as it is the main ideological background of the most modern-day terrorist attacks in the United States (Chermak & Gruenewald, 2015). According to Gøtzsche-Astrup, individual protective factors from radicalization are a predictable worldview, a sense of meaning and basic security (2018, p. 98). In addition, negative reflections within the field of radicalization studies identify highly racialized practices of Muslim profiling to be apparent and therefore, the research on white-supremacist and anti-government extremism might lead to underestimations of their presence (McCauley, 2012). This research will focus on two far-right extremist categories, white supremacism, and anti-government extremism. Hence, this research aims to study associations between close relationships with radicalized individuals and violent radicalization in the United States within these two groups. The theoretical framework for this research is based on the Significance Quest Theory, which describes a framework for understanding the involvement in violent extremism (Kruglanski et al., 2018). The elements in Significance Quest theory are then explained through the broader context of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory which describes development through the multi-faceted setting one is in. The variables used in this research are based upon the developmental influence that factors in the microsystem (EST) have on the individual. The data used to conduct this research are provided by the Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (PIRUS) dataset which includes anonymous information on the individual level regarding the attributes, radicalization processes and backgrounds of more than 3200 non-violent and violent extremists (Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (PIRUS) | START.umd.edu, n.d.). In addition, the far-left, far-right, single-issue and Islamists ideologies in the period from 1995 until 2021 are covered in the dataset (Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (PIRUS) | START.umd.edu, n.d.). The scientific significance of the current research is to expand on the wider body of knowledge on right-wing extremists sub groups as their prevalence in society has become more apparent and their, often more violent, deeds stipulate the importance of understanding characteristics which could be predictive of or protective from far-right violent extremism (Chermak & Gruenewald, 2015). In addition, knowledge on the differences between far-right movements can also aid the understanding of potential risk factors for involvement in particular right-wing groups. The contribution of this research to the broader field of counterterrorism could, when empirically supported by other studies, eventually lead to policy changes in favor of tackling violent extremism as a societal problem. The current research will first provide the reader with a literature review and a theoretical framework. Subsequently, the research design and methodological approach will be discussed, followed by the results. The main point and reflection will be discussed in the discussion and conclusion.Show less
Party systems in contemporary democracies have underwent profound changes in the last decades. The emergence of far-right parties is only one of the many factors determining our modern political...Show moreParty systems in contemporary democracies have underwent profound changes in the last decades. The emergence of far-right parties is only one of the many factors determining our modern political systems. However, we can also see a further radicalisation of these parties combined with a simultaneous attempt to uphold a ‘civil’ image. This thesis aims to explain this development by looking at the role of the ideological movement of the New Right and its influence on far-right parties. For this, a case study in Germany shall be conducted. The presence of New Right ideology in far-right parties will be identified via frame analysis and the connections between the two explored through process tracing. Through this analysis the presence of New Right frames in far-right party ideologies was found and the importance of personal connections between the New Right and the aforementioned parties stated. The analysis contributes to the understanding of developments in our party system and aims to explain part of the reason why far-right parties radicalise themselves.Show less
This study seeks to find out how far-right groups influence the radicalization trajectories of individuals, by analyzing six autobiographies of violent right wing extremists. This study uses...Show moreThis study seeks to find out how far-right groups influence the radicalization trajectories of individuals, by analyzing six autobiographies of violent right wing extremists. This study uses thematic analysis guided by Kruglanki and colleagues’ Significance Quest Theory (2009; 2014). It has uncovered themes regarding problematic childhoods, violent ideologies, and violence as means to gain significance within these groups. This study shows that a traumatic childhood makes individuals more vulnerable to far-right group recruitment, as they want to belong somewhere. These far-right groups promoted ideologies driven by violence, and therefore has led the individuals down a path of violence in order to belong. Eventually the studied individuals found out that their violent actions increased their status within these far-right groups and the white supremacist network, that they missed out on in their childhoods.Show less
Radicalization and terrorism research has been growing in funding and prestige over the last decades. This is partially due to the ‘War on Terror’ which has been raging for more than two decades...Show moreRadicalization and terrorism research has been growing in funding and prestige over the last decades. This is partially due to the ‘War on Terror’ which has been raging for more than two decades and shows no sign of slowing down. The need for practical application of the research has made that the field has become relatively one sided and occupied with ‘the other’. This research seeks to bridge that gap. To this extent this research focuses on the universal nature of radicalization and justification for violence. It does so by comparing and contrasting two very different groups. On one side Muslim extremists and on the other Western war criminals. The research was conducted applying thematic analysis to six autobiographies written by the violent individuals. Several universal themes were found which all lead to the application and justification of violence towards a civilian population. However, notable differences were also found which again emphasizes the complex nature of radicalization research. Overall, this paper shows that there are themes and perspectives which have not been touched upon by contemporary research and urges for more exploration of the topic. This paper, with its exploratory nature, aims to be the foundation on which future research can be performed.Show less
Online right-wing radicalization has been on the rise globally. Little academic research has been conducted on this phenomenon. One study conceptualizes the online right-wing radicalization process...Show moreOnline right-wing radicalization has been on the rise globally. Little academic research has been conducted on this phenomenon. One study conceptualizes the online right-wing radicalization process in a pipeline. This study will research whether this Pipeline theory is a new concept, or whether it exists in some other form. By conducting a narrative qualitative analysis on three skinhead autobiographies, this research has discovered that the Pipeline theory can be applied to older cases of right-wing radicalization, thus meaning that the Pipeline theory exists in other forms. While the Pipeline can be applied to older cases, this research has disclosed that the online and offline trajectories are too contrasting with one another. It is of the utmost importance for policymakers and law enforcement to research the Alt-Right Pipeline. Falling into the Alt-Right Pipeline can have deadly consequences, e.g. the Christchurch Massacre, El-Paso Wallmart Shooting et cetera.Show less
Muslim terrorism and radicalization have been topics of increasing concern in the West since the beginning of the 21st century. The rise of the Islamic State, commonly referred to as ISIS, which...Show moreMuslim terrorism and radicalization have been topics of increasing concern in the West since the beginning of the 21st century. The rise of the Islamic State, commonly referred to as ISIS, which experienced a rapid and unexpected development after 2014, increased these widespread concerns related to Muslim terrorism and radicalization. This thesis tackles these topics from the perspective of France, a country that has been hardly hit by ISIS since 2014. Thus, the aim of this paper is to analyze how the Islamic State, and Muslim terrorism more broadly, have influenced the making of the French counter-terrorist apparatus. This research provides a detailed overview and analysis of the concrete impact of these phenomena on the French counter-terrorist apparatus, and delves into the role played by key counter-terrorist actors through the preemptive and reactive measures that have been taken in order to counter the Islamic State. Further, this research looks at the implications of the dynamics existing between the Islamic State and France, and investigates the resulting limitations that affect France's counter-terrorist system, in terms of overall efficiency and, more importantly, regarding the respect of fundamental human rights. This paper suggests that further research should be conducted on this topic, in order to gain a proper understanding of the processes and dynamics that are at play in the elaboration of counter-terrorist measures aimed at providing appropriate answers to existing and upcoming threats.Show less
After five international attacks commited by Uzbek individuals in the name of Daesh in 2016 and 2017, many (news)articles have been quick to speak of a trend regarding radicalization in Uzbekistan...Show moreAfter five international attacks commited by Uzbek individuals in the name of Daesh in 2016 and 2017, many (news)articles have been quick to speak of a trend regarding radicalization in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. Research has shown that scholars either look at internal or external factors for the radicalization of Uzbek nationals. This study aims to explain the apparent recent interest of Uzbek nationals to join Daesh and if we can speak of a myth or a phenomenon regarding radicalization in Uzbekistan. Building on existing work on radicalization in Central Asia and Uzbekistan, this research both analyzes the internal and external factors. These internal and external factors have been applied on case studies of three Uzbek individuals committing the international attacks. The analysis was based on a literature research on the history of the region, the Uzbekistan state since 1991 onwards and migration from Central Asia towards Russia, and a textual analysis of (1) videos, messages, and websites, and (2) interviews of journalists with friends, neighbors and family members of the Uzbek individuals in the case study. In addition, the social movement theory and social psychology theory were applied accordingly. The results indicate that we should not speak of a phenomenon regarding radicalization in Uzbekistan. Besides, the case study shows that external factors particularly explain the apparent recent interest of Uzbek nationals to join Daesh. Nevertheless, internal factors could indeed explain other radicalization processes, such as why Uzbek nationals decided to join the Hizb ut-Tahrir and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.Show less
