 |
| Orla Lynch |
Ideologies are like horoscopes — everyone takes what they want from them. The choice to engage in extremist violence is based on myriad factors; ideology is one element, but so is opportunity, peer pressure, boredom, bravado and family involvement.
The term “far right” is increasingly used as a label for any activism that incorporates among other things racism, xenophobia, misogyny, (ultra)nationalism, populism and Islamophobia; the phrase “extreme far right” is usually used when violence is involved. While there may be a moral argument for using the far-right label to call out all instances of racism, hate speech and hate crime, it does have the effect of clouding the nature and extent of the far right as a movement in its own right.
The issue of the far right in Ireland has resurfaced once again with the riots in Dublin last week. Explanations for the disorder range from framing it as a legitimate response to the violence witnessed against the children and their carers in Parnell Square, to opportunistic looting instigated and antagonised by a small group of far-right agitators looking to manipulate events.
Continue reading @ Sunday Times.
