Right-wing extremism of young people: Failed political socialization?

Abstract

The discourse on right wing extremism and its origins entails some presumptions that have been reproduced for many years. Following these assumptions right wing extremism is a phenomenon of the margins which threatens the democratic centre of society. According to the discourse this democratic centre has nothing to do with right wing ideas. People who hold such ideas are constructed as individuals with problems or weaknesses and are thereby placed at the periphery as well. This specific view on right wing extremism and its protagonists influences the work of prevention too: especially the idea that young people with right wing ideas just need to be more educated on democratic principles shapes the contents of many prevention programs. Therefore young people should be trained in democratic thinking and supported to fulfill the developmental task of political socialization. Based on a biographical study with young right wing extremists this article discusses questions such as: Is right wing extremism a failed political socialization? And where is the connection between right wing extremism and society?