Life Trajectories Into and Out of Contemporary Neo-Nazism: Becoming and Unbecoming the Hateful Other (Routledge Research in Race and Ethnicity)

This book provides the first comprehensive sociological study of the contemporary National Socialist movement in Sweden, including how it has developed since the 1990s until the present. It covers the ideas and political aspects of the movement, as well as the subjective and very personal stories told by young men and women who in some cases have left the movement and in others remained. Through a large number of detailed stories of the movement’s violence, hatred, and ideology, as well as stories of the life plans and dreams involved in re-entering society, the study on which the book is based provides knowledge, hope and new directions for studies on the National Socialist movement. Additionally, the book provides innovative research on the relation between the life trajectories of National Socialists and their significant others, allowing us to establish better and more scientific strategies for preventing radicalization and promoting de-radicalization. The book is aimed at students of sociology, social science and researchers studying hate movements and violent extremism. It is also meant for professionals such as teachers, social workers and youth workers who may encounter radicalization in their work as well as being a vital contribution for policymakers within the field. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series Page 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 8 List of figures 9 Preface 11 1. Introduction 14 Introduction 14 Aims and positioning of the book 15 The National Socialist movement – Definitions and limitations 17 Theoretical and methodological starting points for the book 19 Toxic masculinity 26 Methodological notes: Structures, cultures and biographies 28 Disposition 29 References 31 2. Historical perspectives on the contemporary Nordic and global National Socialist movement 34 Introduction 34 The Denazification process – The role model for relating to the hateful other 35 The National Socialist movement in Sweden – a short summary 37 The development of a contemporary National Socialist movement in Sweden 40 References 55 3. Lost in translation: A case study on a National Socialist rally 57 Introduction 57 The Swedish context 62 Lost in translation 71 References 73 4. The fear of mass invasion 75 National Socialist rhetoric and the media 75 About Nordfront 77 The mass invasion of strangers 77 Perception of democracy 80 Globalization, nationalism and conspiracy theories 83 The Sweden Democrats 86 The new extremism 89 References 91 5. Becoming a National Socialist 93 Introduction 93 Becoming I: Upbringing and socialization 95 Becoming II: Youth style and school 101 Belonging 104 Becoming and joining 112 References 113 6. Disengaging and de-radicalizing from the National Socialist movement 114 Introduction 114 Exit processes in theory and practice 114 Leaving 117 Different exit processes 121 The National Socialist movement in Sweden – a short summary 125 Leaving the National Socialist movement 128 References 130 7. Leaving hate behind: National Socialists, significant others and disengagement 132 Introduction 132 Getting pulled out 133 Leaving hate behind – the significance of relations 134 Case Study 1: In the clearing stands a boxer 134 Case Study 2: The lonely shepherd 140 The sister 142 The first classmate 143 The second classmate 144 Conclusion 145 References 148 8. Conclusions and discussion 150 Introduction 150 Structures, cultures and biographies 152 Geographies of hate I: Mapping the National Socialist movement 153 Geographies of hate II: Disengagement processes 154 Geographies of hate III: Theoretical contributions 156 Implications for pedagogical and social work 158 References 160 9. Method and methodology 162 Methodological approach and methods used in the study 162 References 170 Index 171 "This book provides the first comprehensive sociological study of the contemporary National Socialist movement in Sweden, including how it has developed since the 1990s until the present. It covers the ideas and political aspects of the movement, as well as the subjective and very personal stories told by young men and women who in some cases have left the movement and in others remained. Through a large number of detailed stories of the movement's violence, hatred, and ideology, as well as stories of the life plans and dreams involved in re-entering society, the study on which the book is based provides knowledge, hope and new directions for studies on the National Socialist movement. Additionally, the book provides innovative research on the relation between the life trajectories of National Socialists and their significant others, allowing us to establish better and more scientific strategies for preventing radicalization and promoting de-radicalization. The book is aimed for students of sociology, social science and researchers studying hate movements and violent extremism. It is also meant for professionals such as teachers, social workers and youth workers who may encounter radicalization in their work being a vital contribution for policymakers within the field"-- Provided by publisher Becoming and Unbecoming the Hateful Other provides the first comprehensive sociological study of the contemporary National Socialist movement in Sweden, including how it has developed since the 1990s until the present.