Imagining Far-right Terrorism: Violence, Immigration, and the Nation State in Contemporary Western Europe

Imagining Far-right Terrorism examines the narrative imagination of far-right terrorism in contemporary Western Europe, focusing on the National Socialist Underground (NSU) in Germany, racist violence in Sweden and Norway, and elite practices of narrative control. It breaks new ground in research on far-right terrorism by tracing its narrative traces across time, public spaces of contestation, and national borders.

Format: Hardback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 04 February 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Imagining Far-right Terrorism delves into the realm of far-right terrorism as a subject of narrative imagination in contemporary Western Europe, a topic that often evades straightforward categorization. While Western European societies tend to resist labeling far-right and racist violence as terrorism, the underlying reasons for this reluctance remain largely unexplored. This book specifically focuses on the intricate case of the National Socialist Underground (NSU) in Germany, as well as notable instances of racist violence in Sweden and Norway. By examining the narratives surrounding far-right and racist violence, the author draws upon a diverse range of empirical sources to provide a comprehensive analysis. Through her account, she identifies the constraints imposed by elite practices of narrative control, which work to maintain positive images of the liberal-democratic order in contrast to its two constitutive counterparts: the far-right and racialized minorities. Positioned within the broader field of critical terrorism studies, this book pioneers new research on far-right terrorism by tracing its narrative threads across time, public spaces of contention, and national borders. Moreover, it incorporates material and findings originally written in German, Swedish, and Norwegian, offering English-language readers access to previously unavailable insights.

This much-needed volume holds particular appeal to students and researchers engaged in the study of terrorism and political violence, right-wing extremism, European politics, and communication studies. By delving into the complexities of imagining far-right terrorism, it sheds light on the challenges and complexities faced by societies in confronting this threat. The book's comprehensive analysis and interdisciplinary approach contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors that shape narratives about violence and their impact on public perceptions and policy responses.

Weight: 612g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367372095