The Dynamics of Right-Wing Extremism within German Society: Escape into Authoritarianism

by Oliver Decker (Editor), David West (Translator), Johannes Kiess (Editor), Elmar Brähler (Editor)

Overview

The Dynamics of Right-Wing Extremism within German Society explores the prevalence of right-wing extremist attitudes in Germany.

The book provides a thorough psychosocial and sociological theory of general authoritarian dynamics to explain broader societal attitudes, particularly focusing on right-wing extremism. It provides a uniquely long-term perspective on the different dimensions of right-wing extremism—the affinity for dictatorial forms of government, chauvinist attitudes, the trivialisation or justification of National Socialism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and social Darwinism. The first chapter delineates the theoretical framework of authoritarian dynamics, while subsequent chapters provide an in-depth analysis of empirical findings and distinguish authoritarian and democratic typologies. The authors focus on recognition of authoritarian statehood and anti-Semitism; the relationship between religion and right-wing extremism; and support for the radical-right populist party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). The innovative theoretical approach of this book scrutinizes the theory of authoritarianism in the contemporary world.

This book provides unique empirical data and will be of interest to scholars of German politics, anti-democratic attitudes and prejudices, sociology, political science, and social psychology.

The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032111490
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/25/2023
Series:	Routledge Studies in Fascism and the Far Right
Pages:	194
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Oliver Decker is the Director of the Center for the Study of Right-Wing Extremism and Democracy and the Else-Frenkel-Brunswik-Institute at Leipzig University, Germany, as well as a Professor for Social Psychology at the Sigmund Freud University in Berlin, Germany.

Johannes Kiess is the Deputy Director of the Else-Frenkel-Brunswik-Institute at the University of Leipzig, Germany, and a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Siegen, Germany.

Elmar Brähler is a Professor Emeritus and a Visiting Scholar at the University of Mainz, Germany.

Table of Contents

1. Flight into Authoritarianism: The Dynamics of Right-Wing Extremism at the Centre of Society 2. The Leipzig Authoritarianism Study 2018: Methodology, Results, and Long-Term Changes 3. The Authoritarian Syndrome Today 4. Recognition and Authoritarian Statehood 5. Anti-Semitic Attitudes in Germany: Their Prevalence and Causes 6. Religion as a Factor of Conflict in Relation to Right-Wing Extremism, Hostility to Muslims, and Support for the AfD 7. Authoritarian Dynamics and Social Conflicts: The Leipzig Authoritarianism Studies