"Intention is not method, belief is not evidence": Civic Education and Prevention with Former Right-Wing Extremists in German Schools

This book examines the effectiveness of school interventions involving former right-wing extremists in Germany, using an evidence-based and interdisciplinary approach. It finds that these interventions do not initiate civic education processes or prevent political extremism, and calls for additional research, modification, and sensitization.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 171 pages
Publication date: 22 January 2023
Publisher: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden

For over two decades, school interventions involving former right-wing extremists have gained popularity in Germany. These interventions are marketed and implemented as civic education and extremism prevention initiatives. This book employs an evidence-based and interdisciplinary approach to explore the potential and challenges of this format. It offers a thematic embedding of German application, a comprehensive review of attributed impact assumptions, and the state of related research. Furthermore, this research provides valuable, unique, and comprehensive insights based on empirical evidence, contributing to a better understanding of the format's complexity. However, the findings do not provide clear evidence that the involvement of former right-wing extremists in schools initiates civic education processes or prevents political extremism. Instead, the investigation highlights fundamental needs for additional research, modification, and sensitization. In this regard, this book makes a pioneering contribution to quality assurance and evaluation research in civic education and extremism prevention.

Introduction:
School interventions involving former right-wing extremists have been a prevalent practice in Germany for over two decades. These interventions are often marketed and implemented as civic education and extremism prevention initiatives. The goal of these programs is to engage former extremists in dialogue, promote understanding, and prevent the recurrence of extremist ideologies in society. While these interventions have garnered significant attention and support, there is a need for rigorous evaluation to assess their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Evidence-Based Approach:
This book adopts an evidence-based and interdisciplinary approach to examine the potentials and challenges of school interventions involving former right-wing extremists. It seeks to provide a comprehensive review of the existing research on this topic, as well as to draw on insights from various fields such as education, psychology, sociology, and political science. By integrating multiple perspectives, the book aims to offer a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in these interventions.

Thematic Embedding of German Application:
One of the key strengths of this book is its thematic embedding of German application. The authors provide a detailed account of the historical, political, and social context in which these interventions have been implemented in Germany. This contextualization helps readers to understand the specific challenges and opportunities that arise in the German context and how they may differ from interventions in other countries.

Comprehensive Review of Attributed Impact Assumptions:
The book also conducts a comprehensive review of the attributed impact assumptions associated with school interventions involving former right-wing extremists. It examines the claims made by proponents of these interventions and assesses their validity based on empirical evidence. The authors identify gaps in the research and suggest areas for further investigation to improve our understanding of the impact of these programs.

State of Related Research:
The state of related research is another important aspect of this book. The authors provide a thorough review of the existing literature on school interventions involving former right-wing extremists, including both quantitative and qualitative studies. They identify key research questions and gaps in the knowledge base, and suggest avenues for future research to enhance our understanding of the effectiveness of these interventions.

Valuable Insights Based on Empirical Evidence:
Perhaps the most valuable contribution of this book is its provision of highly valuable, unique, and comprehensive insights based on empirical evidence. The authors draw on their extensive experience and expertise in the field to offer practical recommendations and strategies for implementing and evaluating school interventions involving former right-wing extremists. These insights are based on a wealth of case studies and empirical data, providing a solid foundation for policymakers, educators, and researchers interested in this area.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book makes a pioneering contribution to quality assurance and evaluation research in civic education and extremism prevention. It employs an evidence-based and interdisciplinary approach to explore the potential and challenges of school interventions involving former right-wing extremists. The findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of these programs and suggest areas for improvement. By drawing on a wealth of empirical evidence, the book offers practical recommendations and strategies for policymakers, educators, and researchers interested in this field.

Weight: 264g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783658397753
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022