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Thinking Beyond Extremism: A Critique of Counterterrorism Research on Right-Wing Nationalist and Far-Right Social Movements

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  • Justin Everett Cobain Tetrault

Abstract

Researchers increasingly use counterterrorism approaches to explain how right-wing groups mobilize as a growing social movement. I reveal the limits of security-oriented research for studying right-wing movements using a semi-ethnographic case study of the Canadian yellow vests. Dominant security narratives paint Canada’s yellow vests as foremost a criminogenic and violent white nationalist movement. My findings, however, suggest that these groups (1) fetishize law and order; and (2) attempt to maintain legitimacy by rejecting vigilantism and policing extreme messaging. Fixating on the ‘extremism’ and criminal risks of right-wing movements can distort analysis and exaggerate their distance from mainstream culture. My data include over 40 h of participant-observation at 20 right-wing rallies and 35 interviews with current leaders and members of on-the-ground nationalist groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Justin Everett Cobain Tetrault, 2022. "Thinking Beyond Extremism: A Critique of Counterterrorism Research on Right-Wing Nationalist and Far-Right Social Movements," The British Journal of Criminology, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, vol. 62(2), pages 431-449.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:crimin:v:62:y:2022:i:2:p:431-449.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/bjc/azab062
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