Life Trajectories Into and Out of Contemporary Neo-Nazism: Becoming and Unbecoming the Hateful Other

Christer Mattsson · Thomas Johansson

Oct 2019 · Routledge

About this ebook

This book provides the first comprehensive sociological study of the contemporary National Socialist movement in Sweden, including how it has developed since the 1990s until the present. It covers the ideas and political aspects of the movement, as well as the subjective and very personal stories told by young men and women who in some cases have left the movement and in others remained.

Through a large number of detailed stories of the movement’s violence, hatred, and ideology, as well as stories of the life plans and dreams involved in re-entering society, the study on which the book is based provides knowledge, hope and new directions for studies on the National Socialist movement. Additionally, the book provides innovative research on the relation between the life trajectories of National Socialists and their significant others, allowing us to establish better and more scientific strategies for preventing radicalization and promoting de-radicalization.

The book is aimed at students of sociology, social science and researchers studying hate movements and violent extremism. It is also meant for professionals such as teachers, social workers and youth workers who may encounter radicalization in their work as well as being a vital contribution for policymakers within the field.

About the author

Christer Mattsson is the Director of the Segerstedt Institute at the University of Gothenburg that serves as a national research and resource center on violent extremism. His recent publications include “Becoming, belonging and leaving – Exit processes among young neo-Nazis in Sweden” and “Leaving hate behind – neo-Nazis, significant others and disengagement” (both Journal for Deradicalization, 2018).

Thomas Johansson is Professor of Pedagogy at the University of Gothenburg. His main research areas are youth studies, family studies, gender studies, social psychology and cultural studies. His recent publications include Youth Studies in Transition. Culture, Generation and New Learning Processes (Springer, 2019); Marginalized Masculinities. Contexts, Continuities and Change (Routledge, 2017); and Fatherhood in Transition. Masculinity, Identity and Everyday Life (Palgrave, 2017).