Right-Wing Terrorism in Europe Since 1980,
Abstract
Although there has been a general decline in neo-Nazi/neo-fascist terrorism since the 1980 bombings, the threat posed by right-wing extremists in Germany, France and, to a lesser extent, Italy, has not subsided. Each of these countries has a tradition of right-wing militancy, political and racial intolerance, and violence. Events involving the neo-Nazis and neo-fascists have already demonstrated that where hatred and intolerance exist, the potential for violence and terrorism exists as well. The extremists who bombed the Bologna train station and Munich Oktoberfest came from the same milieu of 'kooks' and 'little fuehrers' whose preening and parading in Nazi uniforms and vituperation of leftists, Jews, Arabs, guest workers and the life was viewed as 'harmless' exhibitionism and demagogic fulminations. Previous state, public and media apathy may, in fact, have emboldened the militants to commit more egregious acts of violence. The activities of the right-wing terrorists in building a clandestine international support network, exploiting the nationalist affinity which exists between themselves and their left-wing counterparts and, in case of the German neo-Nazis, commencing operations against United States military personnel stationed in Germany, prove that the rightists have not been dormant. To presume that right-wing extremists no longer pose a threat would be self-deceptive, if not dangerously naive.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA152566
Entities
People
- B. Hoffman
Organizations
- RAND Corporation