EXTREME NATIONALISM IN CONTEMPORARY NORWAY: IDEOLOGIES, MOBILISATION AND ACTIVISM

Abstract

Extreme nationalism can be conceptualised as an exclusionary form of politics that opposes liberal democratic principles and promotes hostile actions towards specific out-groups and ‘enemies’ who are conceived along ‘racial’, ethnic and/or cultural lines and perceived as essentially and inherently different and threatening to an imagined national in-group. Norway is not a country where the development of extreme nationalism would be anticipated given its generous welfare system based on a strong economy and relatively low levels of unemployment, crime, social problems and socioeconomic inequalities. Yet, extreme nationalism continues to affect both individuals and the liberal democratic system. This doctoral thesis aims at understanding the ways in which extreme nationalist movements are sustained in contemporary Norway. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, including in-depth interviews with 25 extreme nationalist activists and participant observation at 13 protest events, this project stresses the importance of understanding the social, relational and interactional contexts in which such milieus persist. Fieldwork has been conducted with the two major extreme nationalist groups in Norway, including The Nordic Resistance Movement (DNM) and Stop Islamisation of Norway (SIAN). In addition, the project includes interviews and observations with smaller groups and parties such as the Scandza Forum (SF), The Democrats and The Alliance. This study emphasises how different articulations of extreme nationalist ideology – including cultural, ethnic and ‘racial’ variants – function to mobilise activists through the creation of fixed collective (in-group) identities and shared emotions. Further, it seeks to understand what narratives about participation tell us about how and why individuals join, and remain active in, extreme nationalist movements. Trajectories into the extreme nationalist movement are often mundane and prosaic rather than spectacular and dramatic, and there appears to be no single ‘type’ of activist. Findings suggest that biographical availability and attitudinal affinity with a movement are important, but not sufficient to sustain activism. In order to remain within the movement – which is generally associated with high risks and costs – individuals cite the importance of social solidarities and having a space where their voices can be heard. Their experiences of stigmatisation and marginalisation from society at large may, in some instances, contribute to strengthen in-group cohesion. Finally, the project sheds light on internal and external group-level dynamics within and between movements, including collective action, strategic approach and recruitment methods, as well as organisational structure, leadership and resources.

Date of Award	1 Aug 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	James Rhodes (Supervisor) & Hilary Pilkington (Supervisor)