Saturday, March 15, 2014
Executive (Omni Shoreham)
The public image of neo-Nazism in Europe from the 1980ies to date is to a large extent affected by far-right skinheads. But if one takes a look at present day neo-Nazi demonstrations in countries such as Germany, France, Italy or the Czech Republic, a different picture appears. Their black blocs bear in mind demonstrations of the far-left, apparently bomber jackets, combat boots and shaved heads have been replaced by trendy street wear, but neo-Nazis’ dress does not only refer to the zeitgeist but often to a style common by far-left youths. Even more, the design of banners, stickers, posters, flyers or websites similarly utilizes their political enemies’ visual presentation. Symbols and signs are adopted, partially down to the last detail.
Referencing their political opponents, the far-left Autonomous Movement, they call themselves the Autonomous Nationalists and adopt protest tactics and visual performance of the far-left. This strategy attracts youths, but otherwise decreases ideological internalization and may increase the turnover of activists. Based on collective identity and framing approaches, this paper points to typical forms of interaction and dimensions of identity construction and analyzes the fragile symbolic coherence of the movement's political values and the activists’ praxeology.
In this ethnographic field study, data were gathered using the movement’s documents, semi-structured interviews and observing demonstrations. The investigation uses a qualitative content analysis to identify central dimensions of action repertoire and visual performance and their external effects and particularly internal impacts on the neo-Nazi movement's collective identity.
Referencing their political opponents, the far-left Autonomous Movement, they call themselves the Autonomous Nationalists and adopt protest tactics and visual performance of the far-left. This strategy attracts youths, but otherwise decreases ideological internalization and may increase the turnover of activists. Based on collective identity and framing approaches, this paper points to typical forms of interaction and dimensions of identity construction and analyzes the fragile symbolic coherence of the movement's political values and the activists’ praxeology.
In this ethnographic field study, data were gathered using the movement’s documents, semi-structured interviews and observing demonstrations. The investigation uses a qualitative content analysis to identify central dimensions of action repertoire and visual performance and their external effects and particularly internal impacts on the neo-Nazi movement's collective identity.
