The aim of this paper is to highlight the misogyny of the extreme right and examine the online spaces in which lone wolves radicalize themselves. In particular the ‚Incel‘ movement which has gained notoriety in recent years with multiple domestic terrorist attacks, many of them targeted toward women, across the world.
The goal is to show that alt-right and Incel ideologies often go hand in hand. There is a misogynist and an anti-feminist agenda that runs like a red thread through the manifests of extreme right attackers and still, there is almost no public discussion addressing it.
Since the intent of this paper is to show connections between extreme right and Incel ideologies we will first make sense of the Incel movement as a whole and the so called ‚Manosphere‘. Subsequently, we will examine the similar characteristics of the Incel and extreme right world view, and have a look at three case studies of recent domestic terrorist attacks, examine their motive, their underlining ideologies and discuss whether its perpetrators can be ascribed to both the extreme right and the Incel community.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Lone Wolves: Single Actor Terrorism in the 21st Century
- The contemporary Threat of Lone Wolf Terrorists
- Inspiration, Method and Aim
- Incels: Origin and Terminology
- The modern Incel Ideology
- The Manosphere
- Connecting Incel and far right ideologies
- The right-wing aspects of Lone Wolf Terrorism within the Incel Community
- Elliot Rodger
- Christopher Harper-Mercer
- Stephan Balliet
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the intersection of misogyny, the extreme right, and lone wolf terrorism, focusing particularly on the online spaces where individuals radicalize. The aim is to shed light on the misogynistic component of the extreme right and its connection to the "Incel" movement, which has gained notoriety through various terrorist attacks worldwide.
- The rise of lone wolf terrorism in the 21st century
- The role of online spaces in the radicalization of lone wolves
- The misogynistic component of the extreme right and its link to the Incel movement
- The ideologies and motivations of perpetrators in recent terrorist attacks
- The connection between the ideologies of the extreme right and the Incel community
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Chapter 1: Lone Wolves: Single Actor Terrorism in the 21st Century: This chapter examines the growing threat of lone wolf terrorism, particularly the underestimation of their shared ideologies and online radicalization. It highlights the case of Anders Behring Breivik, who inspired multiple violent incidents, and discusses the evolution of lone wolf terrorism, from attacks being perceived as emotionally driven to recognizing their ideological connections.
- Chapter 2: Incels: Origin and Terminology: This chapter delves into the origins and terminology of the "Incel" movement, highlighting its history and the role of online spaces in its development. It explores the "Manosphere" and the evolution of the Incel ideology.
- Chapter 3: Connecting Incel and far right ideologies: This chapter examines the shared characteristics and ideologies of the Incel movement and the extreme right. It explores the anti-feminist and misogynistic agendas that permeate both movements, highlighting the connections and influences between them.
- Chapter 4: The right-wing aspects of Lone Wolf Terrorism within the Incel Community: This chapter focuses on three case studies of lone wolf terrorists who can be connected to both the extreme right and the Incel movement. It examines their motivations, underlying ideologies, and the role of misogyny in their actions.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper explores the intersection of several key concepts, including lone wolf terrorism, online radicalization, the Incel movement, extreme right ideologies, misogyny, anti-feminism, and the role of online spaces in perpetuating these ideologies. It examines the motivations and ideologies of lone wolf terrorists, particularly those with connections to the Incel community, highlighting the danger of underestimating the influence of these ideologies in contemporary society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "Incel" movement and how is it linked to terrorism?
The Incel (involuntary celibate) movement is an online subculture characterized by deep-seated misogyny. It has gained notoriety through several domestic terrorist attacks targeted at women, driven by a belief system of male entitlement.
How do Incel ideologies overlap with far-right extremism?
Both ideologies often share anti-feminist, misogynistic, and exclusionary views. They frequently coexist in the same online spaces, where radicalization occurs through shared resentment towards modern societal structures.
What role does the "Manosphere" play in radicalization?
The Manosphere is a collection of websites and forums that promote various forms of masculinity and often host misogynistic content. It serves as a fertile ground for the radicalization of "lone wolf" attackers.
Which case studies are examined in this paper?
The paper analyzes the attacks and manifestos of Elliot Rodger, Christopher Harper-Mercer, and Stephan Balliet to show the connection between Incel ideology and extreme right-wing motives.
Why is the misogynistic component of lone wolf terrorism often ignored?
The paper argues that public discussion often focuses on political or religious motives, overlooking the "red thread" of anti-feminism and hatred of women that frequently motivates extreme right-wing attackers.
How has lone wolf terrorism evolved in the 21st century?
Contemporary lone wolf terrorism is increasingly characterized by single actors who radicalize online, drawing inspiration from global networks and shared ideologies rather than being part of a formal organization.
- Quote paper
- Myriam Kim Schick (Author), 2020, The Anti-Feminist Component of Lone Wolf Terrorism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/942038
