Right-Wing Extremism in Contemporary Germany

This study of the German right-extremist movement looks at the three rightist political parties, neo-Nazi groups, skinhead gangs, and New Right intellectuals. It poses the question whether, at a time of global recession, the existing democratic system is resilient enough to meet the challenges posed by the xenophobic and racist groups.

New Perspectives in German Political Studies
'Right-wing Extremism in Contemporary Germany provides readers with valuable insights into how the far right in Germany is challenging the political order on the streets, in the media and at the ballot box. In this well written and carefully researched book, Gerard Braunthal shows that the "Berlin Republic" is actively responding to the threat and will be unlikely to go the way of the Weimar Republic, even as it experiences the worst economic crisis in decades.'
- David Patton, Connecticut College, USA
'Gerard Braunthal's sweeping study of right-wing extremism in Germany since 1990 is based upon massive research. It is distinguished by the comprehensiveness of its treatment and the meticulousness of its scholarship. This volume will stand for many, many years as THE standard work in English on this theme!
— Stephen Kalberg, Boston University, USA
This volume surveys the contemporary right-extremist scene in Germany since the country's unification in 1990. It covers first the Weimar, Nazi, and post-World War Il periods in West and East Germany. After 1945 three major right-extremist parties, neo-Nazi groups and skinhead gangs challenged the establishment in West Germany while rightist youth groups emerged in East Germany. Reunification produced severe economic and social problems for the youth of eastern Germany. As a result, violence against foreigners, leftists, ga,ys, Gypsies and the homeless, and vandalism at Jewish sites, all increased significantly. Rightist groups seek to gain more support among the young through a range of media and rock concerts. Their recruitment efforts are often successful despite the national, state and loc,al pro-democracy programs that are organized to counteract them. Braunthal raises the question whether the democratic system can survive this rightist challenge in the face of a global recession.
Gerard Braunthal is Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA. As a specialist on politics in Germany he has written numerous books on its parties, interest groups, and domestic politics, such as The German Social Democrats since 1969: A Party in Power and Opposition.