Research project Masculinity, masculinist politics and political extremism in the Nordic
The majority in violent extremist groups are men, yet the role of masculinity in extremist ideology, organization, recruitment, and radicalization has largely been neglected. This workshop will draw together Nordic scholars to explore masculinity in right-wing, left-wing, and Islamic extremists, as well as in ‘manosphere’ and far-right movements.
The majority in violent extremist groups are men. Yet, while research has studied various aspects of violent extremism, the role of masculinity in extremist ideology, organization, recruitment, and radicalization has largely been neglected. This workshop will draw together Nordic scholars to explore masculinity in right-wing, left-wing, and Islamic extremists, as well as in ‘manosphere’ and far-right movements.
Project description
This workshop aims to advance an under-researched but pressing issue by drawing together a group of Nordic scholars exploring masculinity in right-wing, left-wing, and Islamic extremists, as well as in ‘manosphere’ and far-right movements. Our point of departure is the increasing evidence that extremist groups across the political and religious spectrum have resembling understandings of what it is to be a man and they commonly advocate masculinist politics (i.e. men’s rights and domination) and a remasculinization of particularly young men through violence. Non-violent far-right, anti-gender, and men’s rights movements also often argue for the need to restore lost manhood. While masculinist politics and violent extremism are found globally, exploring the link between masculinity and extremism is particularly important in a Nordic setting with its long history of advocating gender equality and women’s rights, as extremists and populists often see feminism and ‘gender ideology’ as a common enemy.
The project will bring together researchers from the Nordic countries and globally for in-person meetings, which will establish a critical mass to synthesize scholarship and enable collaboration with international scholars. This new cooperation will advance research and provide knowledge valuable for professionals and government agencies in the Nordic countries.
Image on the starting page: NMR-demonstration, Johan Wessman
Project members
Project managers
Lucas Gottzén
Professor
Members
Katrine Fangen
Professor
Sune Qvotrup Jensen
Lector
