Right-Wing Digital Activism as a form of Vigilantism? A Case Study of ‘Societal Control’ in Canada

• In Event: Current and New Directions in Hate Crime Research

Abstract

Traditionally, vigilantism is defined as collective coercive practices undertaken by non-state actors in order to enforce norms (social or judicial) and/or to take the law in their own hands. In targeting the offenders that are external to their community, but also their own offenders, vigilantes are both involved in the fight against crime and social control. In this communication, based on an extensive set of data collected from the Facebook page of a right-wing popular group in Canada, and applying the conceptual framework of vigilantism, we will analyse how right-wing vigilantes use the digital sphere to act on their views on immigration and national identity in Canada, or enforcing societal control. This notion refers to the policing of perceived ‘deviance’ expressed by political, racial, cultural differences or values. Also, we will show how conservative and radical views acquire visibility by being broadcasted on the digital sphere.

Authors

• Samuel Tanner, Universite de Montreal

• Aurélie Campana, Universite Laval