This study analyses the differences in which the Islamic State targets female and male audiences by focusing on the following question, “To what extent do the recruitment narratives used by the...Show moreThis study analyses the differences in which the Islamic State targets female and male audiences by focusing on the following question, “To what extent do the recruitment narratives used by the Islamic State differ when targeting female versus male audiences within their magazine, Dabiq?”. To answer this question of interest, this study performs a comparative Thematic Analysis of the English-language magazine Dabiq, specifically examining the “Among The Believers Are Men” and “To/From Our Sisters” sections. It further integrates the Framing Theory developed by Goffman (1974) to examine how the recruitment narratives used by the Islamic State differ when targeting female and male audiences. The study’s findings further demonstrate that gender-specific differences are prevalent in three out of four distinguished categories. These were: ‘Community, Belonging and Meaning’, ‘Gender Roles’’ and ‘Establishment of Common Enemies’. The category of ‘Obligation’ did not portray any differences in the content of the recruitment narratives when differentiating it between the female audience versus the one of men. This signifies that the Islamic State also turns to alternative methods. The analysis of this study substantiates the literature presented by other authors, as their results correspond to and support the findings of this study. However, this study’s results stand in contrast as they differentiate between the content of the recruitment narratives that are used to target women versus men. The study concludes that to tackle Islamic State recruitment, it is essential to understand which gender differences within which recruitment narratives influence individuals to join the organisation. This emphasises the need for further studies to conduct interviews with the returnees of the Islamic State and examine the factors that served as their motivations to join the organisation.Show less
This study looks into how the Islamic State (IS) recruits both men and women by using genderspecific narratives in its online magazine Dabiq. The study focuses on the themes of the narratives and...Show moreThis study looks into how the Islamic State (IS) recruits both men and women by using genderspecific narratives in its online magazine Dabiq. The study focuses on the themes of the narratives and frequency of specific words used by IS to appeal to various gender identities by performing a content and discourse analysis of 15 Dabiq magazines. The research shows that IS targets men and women using several gender-specific narratives. The most common topics among men are violent ones, emphasising martyrdom and violence in particular. Women, on the other hand, tend to focus more on social and personal issues, with a particular focus on motherhood. The data also shows that IS uses several gender narratives to appeal to both men and women. The prevailing narrative for men reinforces traditional masculine norms by focusing on ideas of bravery, protection and heroism. Contrarily the dominant narrative for women centres on stereotypes of motherhood and caregiving, which are consistent with traditional conceptions of the roles and obligations of women. According to these findings, IS customises its recruitment techniques to consider men's and women's distinct motivations and objectives, relying on gender-specific narratives to engage people in their particular gender identities. The study clarifies the part played by gender in online radicalisation and emphasises the significance of taking gender dynamics into account in counterterrorism efforts.Show less
This research analyses the role of masculinity in two manifestos by far-right extremists: ‘The Inconvenient Truth’ by Patrick Crusius and ‘An Open Letter’ by John T. Earnest. The analysis of...Show moreThis research analyses the role of masculinity in two manifestos by far-right extremists: ‘The Inconvenient Truth’ by Patrick Crusius and ‘An Open Letter’ by John T. Earnest. The analysis of masculinity’s emergence in the manifestos builds upon academic debates on the intersection of masculinity with the far right. This research uses a comparative case study to analyse masculinity as a stimulating factor in the far-right extremist violence the manifestos advocate for. This study found the prevalence of masculinity significant in the analysed manifestos as Crusius and Earnest expressed various variations of masculinity to explain their actions. Based on the findings, this paper recommends that policymakers observe expressions of masculinity-related grievances emerging online and attempt to relieve the individual articulating his frustrations concerning masculinity.Show less
After being neglected for decades, females are more increasingly becoming the subject of research in right-wing extremism (RWE). Most attention however is going to their roles in RWE movements, and...Show moreAfter being neglected for decades, females are more increasingly becoming the subject of research in right-wing extremism (RWE). Most attention however is going to their roles in RWE movements, and not to how women perform these roles. This paper analyses the book Patriots Not Welcome by Brittany Sellner, an RWE influencer, to analyse how Sellner brings forward RWE discourse. A discourse analysis was conducted based on an interpretative approach to identify the presence of different concepts of RWE discourse. A framing theory was used to identify how certain frames were used to present this discourse. The analysis shows the presence of six RWE concepts: anti-immigration beliefs, anti-establishment beliefs, criticism or aversion to the mainstream media, freedom of speech and censorship, traditionalism and Christianity, and Antifa. Furthermore, diagnostic and motivational frames were used to strengthen these concepts, and frame amplification was used for emphasizing certain arguments.Show less
The present study discusses the comparative application of critical discourse analysis (CDA) to ideals of manhood presented in right-wing extremist manifestos, examining them through the lens of...Show moreThe present study discusses the comparative application of critical discourse analysis (CDA) to ideals of manhood presented in right-wing extremist manifestos, examining them through the lens of social constructivism. The analysis of the study is based on Norman Fairclough's three-dimensional framework of CDA, providing insights into the micro and macro context of the constructs of ideal manhood. Qualitative research was done on the right-wing extremist manifestos of Elliot Rodger and Dylann Roof. The study found that the two ideals were based on different grounds as a result of different influences in their social construction. The language used by Rodger and Roof, concerning their constructs of ideal manhood, is used in different manners to contribute to the overall goal of the manifestos of justifying the use of violence in the corresponding attack.Show less
Several studies demonstrated that the portrayal of women’s participation in foreign terrorist organizations in mass media is typically gender stereotyped. Regardless of their assumed conventional...Show moreSeveral studies demonstrated that the portrayal of women’s participation in foreign terrorist organizations in mass media is typically gender stereotyped. Regardless of their assumed conventional roles such as being “mothers”, and “wives”, women also contributed to crucial active tasks within foreign terrorist organizations. In France, before 2016, women affiliated with terrorism were mostly perceived as “weak” and “passive” victims with traditional and domestic roles to fulfill. However, a failed attack on Notre Dames de Paris orchestrated by women in Paris in 2016 shifted the public perception of women’s involvement in terrorism and their potential threat once they will return. This study analyzes whether gender stereotypes related to women in foreign terrorist organizations are applicable to the case of women returnees. To do so, this qualitative study observes how French women returnees are portrayed in French news media after 2016. The aim is to investigate through a critical discourse analysis, the presence of gender stereotypes in returnees’ portrayal. The research shows that the framing of women returnees in French news media is based on four main gender stereotypes namely Motherhood, Jihadist Brides, Victimhood, and Non-Violent roles. The argument here is that gender stereotypes, especially the traits related to Motherhood and Non-violent roles were present in French news media, but to a certain extent only as media narratives contradict those stereotypical themes as well. This research contributes to the academic gap in news media framing of terrorism-affiliated women returnees and develops the discussion on the influence of returnees’ portrayal on the public perception and repatriation processes.Show less
This paper aimed to find out whether men and women terrorists of the Provisional IRA were portrayed differently in the media. A critical discourse analysis was conducted on newspaper articles from...Show moreThis paper aimed to find out whether men and women terrorists of the Provisional IRA were portrayed differently in the media. A critical discourse analysis was conducted on newspaper articles from 1969 to 1999, coding and analysing the way these terrorists got framed and portrayed in the media. A gendered difference in media portrayal of PIRA is present based on the analysis of 45 articles. However, this difference is not as large as could be expected based on the media portrayal of female terrorists in general. Throughout PIRA’s existence, from 1969 to 1999, a minimal change over time is visible, with the gender difference in media portrayal declining.Show less
In recent years, an increase in far-right terrorist attacks can be seen in the West. Such attacks are often preceded by the publishment of manifestos in which the ideology, motivation and tactical...Show moreIn recent years, an increase in far-right terrorist attacks can be seen in the West. Such attacks are often preceded by the publishment of manifestos in which the ideology, motivation and tactical choices of the terrorists are often described. At the hand of the concepts of Windisch et al. (2018), who explain how individuals are able to engage in violence, the manifestos of Brendan Tarrant and Patrick Crusius will be analysed. By coding the manifestos at the hand of the familiarisation process (Terry et al., 2017), the concepts of disengaging morally, deindividuation and establishing emotional dominance will be connected or not be connected to certain codes. Both Brendan Tarrant and Patrick Crusius have committed terrorists attacks in 2019 which have resulted in the death of multiple people in the name of defending the White race. At the hand of the research question; how do certain techniques that are identified in the manifestos of Brendan Tarrant and Patrick Crusius show that they enabled themselves to engage in violence, this research will show that the manifestos of Patrick Crusius and Brendan Tarrant show that they have enabled themselves to engage in violence by framing violence as the only answer to the immigration issue as perceived by them, by dehumanizing non-Western people and immigrants, by aligning oneself with other violent actors and by explaining their target selection.Show less
In this research a frame analysis is used to test the extent of ecofascist idealism is present in the manifestos of Brenton Tarrant and Patrick Crusius. Through a literature review key themes of...Show moreIn this research a frame analysis is used to test the extent of ecofascist idealism is present in the manifestos of Brenton Tarrant and Patrick Crusius. Through a literature review key themes of ecofascism are identified. These are integrated in a theoretical framework on which the analysis is based. Findings from the analysis indicate that Crusius and Tarrant differ to a large extent in their ideals. It is also found that Tarrant holds more extreme racially focused views while Crusius holds more ethnopluralist ecocentric views. Critically Crusius does not show any romanticised idealisations of nature and race, therefore lacking in a key component of ecofascist ideals. With the mass shooting by white nationalist Payton Grendon the importance of research in this area is reasserted.Show less
In recent years, right-wing extremists have shown that the power of their writings is just as impactful as the violent attacks they commit. Extremism scholar J.M. Berger noted in 2019: “We have...Show moreIn recent years, right-wing extremists have shown that the power of their writings is just as impactful as the violent attacks they commit. Extremism scholar J.M. Berger noted in 2019: “We have only begun to suffer the cost of these writings, crafted with an intent no less lethal than their authors’ violent crimes” (Berger, 2019, p.8). Right-wing extremist manifestos have a complex meaning, attraction, and impact. They aim to inspire more violence by expressing their grievances, experiences, and extremist ideology. More research on extreme-right manifestos will explain how they impact their audience and can spread ideology (Berger, 2019). Specifically, this study zooms in on how the manifestos of Brenton Tarrant and John Earnest use ‘othering’ to justify self-sacrifice. This question is built around the concept of us-versus- them to gain more knowledge of how right-wing extremists inspire one another. This is important since it allows us to determine and understand extremist groups' online community- building. Especially on a global level, this is of great importance because this community- building that happens online has often been proven to connect many attackers to each other (Baumgarten, 2017, p. 1). Suppose we try and understand the similarities between the manifestos of different right-wing extremists. In that case, we can potentially gain more insight into how this online community inspires each other and can successfully transfer right-wing extremist ideology to its audience. In the end, this paper can then function as a groundwork for further research and policy papers focussing on the online prevention of such extremist ideology. Findings point toward a substantial overlap of discourse in both manifestos; mainly apparent is that both extremists extensively use similar us-vs-them rhetoric to emphasise alienation as well as polarisation between the in-group and out-group (Berger, 2019, Curle, n.d.).Show less
Within far-right extremism, a recent trend has taken place where perpetrators publish a manifesto shortly before their attack in order to both justify their actions and inspire others. This thesis...Show moreWithin far-right extremism, a recent trend has taken place where perpetrators publish a manifesto shortly before their attack in order to both justify their actions and inspire others. This thesis analyses the manifestos written by Anders Breivik and Elliot Rodger, searching for anti-feminist trends, and compare the presence of these trends among the two manifestos. To achieve this, content analysis is performed on both manifestos. This analysis uncovers that Breivik and Rodger, though both belonging to different subgroups within far-right extremism, share similarities on multiple fronts: the wish to create an ideal world, the blaming of women and/or feminism for their problems, the aim to severely reverse women’s rights, and racist views.Show less
Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year old young male, has killed 51 victims and wounded many more during two shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019. His manifesto The Great Replacement, published...Show moreBrenton Tarrant, a 28-year old young male, has killed 51 victims and wounded many more during two shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019. His manifesto The Great Replacement, published online prior to the attack, has voiced his concerns about the white race being ethnically, racially and culturally displaced in what he identifies as a process of “white genocide”. Inspired by far-right ideologies and certainly not a new concept, his manifesto still managed to create resonance as more attackers in the coming months have referenced him as an inspiration in their own manifestos, namely John Earnest and Patrick Crusius. In this thesis, the focus will lie on diagnostic, prognostic and motivational analyses of framing, used by these three perpetrators in their manifestos. This thesis reveals the flexibility with which far-right terrorists used the “white genocide” conspiracy theory to target a hated outgroup of their choice, to justify the use of violence due to the urgency of the “genocidal” processes and the right for “self-defense”, as well as their inventional use of motivational framing to create resonance and effectively call other young radicalized individuals into violent action.Show less
