Explaining right-wing violence in Germany: a time series analysis

Mclaren, L.M. (1999) Explaining right-wing violence in Germany: a time series analysis. Social Science Quarterly, 80(1), pp. 166-180.

Abstract

The article discusses economy and foreigners on instances of right-wing violence in Germany. Beginning in 1991, instances of attacks on foreigners, their property, and their residences in Germany captured the world's attention. Ranging from firebombing of apartment buildings resulting in the deaths of foreigners to bearings of foreigners, the acts seemed atrocious and unprecedented. Extraordinary social changes occurring in Germany at this time may have provoked such an enormous increase in attacks. German reunification meant that citizens in the east were under pressure to adapt to a new economic and political system and in the process were forced to give up the economic security of the communist system. Although these specific events may be important causes of the increase in right-wing violence, including attacks on foreigners, the purpose of this paper is to explore the systematic causes in an attempt to better explain instances of right-wing violence in Germany. The general explanations of the related phenomenon and support for right-wing parties tend to center around immigration and the economy.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mclaren, Professor Lauren
• Authors: Mclaren, L.M.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Journal Name: Social Science Quarterly
• ISSN: 0038-4941
• ISSN (Online): 1540-6237