Abstract
This chapter highlights the diversity of young people’s politics by providing a case study of ultra-right populism. Attention is given to the ways digital media is used to recruit, to persuade and to mobilise. Consideration is also given to what attracts so many young people to ultra-right populist groups. It is argued that while their themes and arguments are abhorrent, many young people are attracted for political and moral-emotional reasons that are commonly shared within the broader community. Political emotions and ethical impulses like outrage, hope, hatred, fear, patriotism, and righteous anger which are so often central in motivating political activity. Finally, given the rising popularity of ultra-right politics among young people, it is argued that urgent attention is needed to engage better with the politics of the kind examined here.
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Bessant, J. (2018). Right-Wing Populism and Young ‘Stormers’: Conflict in Democratic Politics. In: Pickard, S., Bessant, J. (eds) Young People Re-Generating Politics in Times of Crises. Palgrave Studies in Young People and Politics. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58250-4_8
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