An Investigation into Right-Wing Extremist Websites

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/b8515q16n

Abstract

Current right-wing extremist groups in the United States pose a threat to both its institutions and citizens. A large portion of the interaction among these groups is online. The internet allows individuals with extremist ideals to interact and communicate in a way they could not in normal society. This content analysis investigates four right-wing extremist websites, and it attempts to answer the research questions about the purpose of the websites and how they are useful to right-wing extremist organizations. These groups spread their ideals through content on their official websites which is often nationalist, racist, sexist, and homophobic content. The right-wing extremist groups out-group individuals that do not share their same values or identities, and these websites exist to unite individuals who have similar extremist ideals. The groups benefit from their official websites because it is an easy platform on which to recruit new members and make money through donations and merchandise sales.

Creator