Activism, Social Movements, and Online Dimensions of Extremism

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

Over the last several years, research on extreme social movements has expanded to consider the causes, contexts, and consequences of mobilization and the development of extreme beliefs – both in offline as well as online contexts. This panel focuses on diverse empirical approaches to understanding the off- and online factors that influence mobilization among members of extremist social movements. The first paper examines whether the high-profile police-involved shooting death of an environmental activist, Manuel Terán, produced a deterrent or backlash effect on crimes among members of the Stop Cop City Movement. The second paper assesses the state of the empirical literature on counter-propaganda tools and their effectiveness against radicalization to politico-ideological violence. The third paper considers the online dimensions of extremist social movements by exploring a large sample of right-wing extremist groups and channels on Telegram to examine the discussions, users, and networks making up these spaces.

Sub Unit

• Area III. Types of Offending / 20. State Crime, Political Crime, and Terrorism

Individual Presentations

• Deterrence or Backlash? The Influence of Law Enforcement Operations on the Stop Cop City Movement - Michael K. Logan, Kennesaw State University

• Countering Propaganda and Disrupting Radicalization: A Systematic Review of Evidence on Counter-Propaganda Tools - Jeremiah Perez-Torres, John Jay College of Criminal Justice / CUNY Graduate Center; Kwan-Lamar Blount-Hill, Arizona State University

• Examining Right-Wing Extremist Telegram Groups and Channels - Sydney Litterer, Michigan State University; Ryan Scrivens, Michigan State University; Thomas J. Holt, Michigan State University; Steven Chermak, Michigan State University

Chair

• Steven Chermak, Michigan State University

Organized by a Division or external group?

American Society of Criminology Division on Terrorism and Bias Crimes