The Dynamics of Right-Wing Extremism within German Society Escape into Authoritarianism

The Dynamics of Right-Wing Extremism within German Society explores the prevalence of right-wing extremist attitudes in Germany. The book provides a thorough psychosocial and sociological theory of general authoritarian dynamics to explain broader societal attitudes, particularly focusing on right-wing extremism. It provides a uniquely long-term perspective on the different dimensions of right-wing extremism—the affinity for dictatorial forms of government, chauvinist attitudes, the trivialisation or justification of National Socialism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and social Darwinism. The first chapter delineates the theoretical framework of authoritarian dynamics, while subsequent chapters provide an in-depth analysis of empirical findings and distinguish authoritarian and democratic typologies. The authors focus on recognition of authoritarian statehood and anti-Semitism; the relationship between religion and right-wing extremism; and support for the radical-right populist party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). The innovative theoretical approach of this book scrutinizes the theory of authoritarianism in the contemporary world. This book provides unique empirical data and will be of interest to scholars of German politics, anti-democratic attitudes and prejudices, sociology, political science, and social psychology. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

1. Flight into Authoritarianism: The Dynamics of Right-Wing Extremism at the Centre of Society Oliver Decker 2. The Leipzig Authoritarianism Study 2018: Methodology, Results, and Long-Term Changes Oliver Decker, Johannes Kiess, Julia Schuler, Barbara Handke and Elmar Brähler 3. The Authoritarian Syndrome Today Oliver Decker, Julia Schuler and Elmar Brähler 4. Recognition and Authoritarian Statehood Oliver Decker, Alexander Yendell and Elmar Brähler 5. Anti-Semitic Attitudes in Germany: Their Prevalence and Causes Oliver Decker, Johannes Kiess and Elmar Brähler 6. Religion as a Factor of Conflict in Relation to Right-Wing Extremism, Hostility to Muslims, and Support for the AfD Gert Pickel and Alexander Yendell 7. Authoritarian Dynamics and Social Conflicts: The Leipzig Authoritarianism Studies Oliver Decker, Johannes Kiess and Elmar Brähler

Oliver Decker is the Director of the Center for the Study of Right-Wing Extremism and Democracy and the Else-Frenkel-Brunswik-Institute at Leipzig University, Germany, as well as a Professor for Social Psychology at the Sigmund Freud University in Berlin, Germany. Johannes Kiess is the Deputy Director of the Else-Frenkel-Brunswik-Institute at the University of Leipzig, Germany, and a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Siegen, Germany. Elmar Brähler is a Professor Emeritus and a Visiting Scholar at the University of Mainz, Germany.