Since 2015, Germany has witnessed three major right-wing terrorist attacks conducted by individual attackers outside any extremist group. However, as current research primarily focuses on extremist...Show moreSince 2015, Germany has witnessed three major right-wing terrorist attacks conducted by individual attackers outside any extremist group. However, as current research primarily focuses on extremist group dynamics and identities, academia lacks research into individual-level justifications for terrorist violence and into German right-wing extremism. Thus, applying the psychological theory of moral disengagement results in a better understanding of individual terrorist attackers. Furthermore, applying subcultural theory can help understand the cultural context of such justifications and the prevalence to which the perpetrator is referring to values outside a socially accepted framework. A content analysis integrates the two theoretical frameworks into the data gathered from the notes of the trial against the Halle attacker, while the thematic analysis identifies reoccurring themes to link them to subcultural theory. The findings illustrate how the Halle attacker made use of moral disengagement mechanisms to construct self-defence narratives, and how his argumentation relied primarily on subcultural themes, attempting to frame them as encultured to promote his views. Thus, this research contributes to a wider academic debate on individual-level terrorist justifications and facilitates a better understanding of radicalisation processes.Show less
This quantitative study investigated the relationship between the label assigned to a terrorist act and the fear of terrorism and consequent support for anti-terrorism policy in Western Europe....Show moreThis quantitative study investigated the relationship between the label assigned to a terrorist act and the fear of terrorism and consequent support for anti-terrorism policy in Western Europe. Previous research has linked the fear of terrorism and the support one has for policy tackling it. A survey experiment (N = 210) was conducted making use of vignette manipulations to evoke emotional responses within respondents. Next, a statistical analysis was performed making use of ANOVA tests. The results suggested that the label of jihadist terrorism incites incrementally more fear and support for anti-terrorism policy than the right-wing terrorism label; despite the tests not resulting in statistical significance. It is suspected that statistical significance could be reached if a larger sample were employed. It was further concluded that because of the European contextuality right-wing terrorism is not as feared, and support for anti-right-wing terrorism policy is not as high in comparison to its jihadist counterpart.Show less
Recent trends within contemporary terrorism studies indicate that the right-wing is widely understood as a growing security concern. Germany’s political spectrum comprises an extensive right-wing,...Show moreRecent trends within contemporary terrorism studies indicate that the right-wing is widely understood as a growing security concern. Germany’s political spectrum comprises an extensive right-wing, causing the country to be among the largest targets of extreme right terrorism within Europe. This study aims to examine the nature of this developing trend of terrorism within Germany between 2015 and 2019. This research will analyse two terrorism datasets to explore the common characteristics of German right-wing extremists, as well as shortly examining the overall terrorism landscape in the country. This thesis argues that the right-wing is the leading source for terrorism in the country. The results add that Germany’s right-wing terrorism experiences an initial spark due to societal changes, and is still predominantly preoccupied with anti-refugee sentiments, a trend which emerged in the mid-1990s. Even though certain right-wing groups are more active than others, there seems to be overlap regarding the motives, targets, and objectives. The nationalist and xenophobic components of the right-wing are also clearly highlighted in the country.Show less
