PEGIDA: New radicals or harmless mainstream?

Mgr. Ina Schmidt

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The following work takes a closer look at the first year of Pegida, a right-wing political movement that formed 2014 in Germany and is characterized foremost by a strong opposition towards the government and towards immigrants, especially Muslims. The qualitative research was done in the form of content analysis of different primary sources with the main goal to find out more about the motivation, the potential for violence of the movement and the influences the more radical parts might act out on moderate elements. The work is based on a definition of extremism and radicalism and takes also concepts as right-wing populism and radicalization of the middle into account.

Abstract:

The following work takes a closer look at the first year of Pegida, a right-wing political movement that formed 2014 in Germany and is characterized foremost by a strong opposition towards the government and towards immigrants, especially Muslims. The qualitative research was done in the form of content analysis of different primary sources with the main goal to find out more about the motivation, the potential for violence of the movement and the influences the more radical parts might act out on moderate elements. The work is based on a definition of extremism and radicalism and takes also concepts as right-wing populism and radicalization of the middle into account.

Keywords

Germany, Pegida, political movement, development, right wing, radicalization, qualitative research, content analysis

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 15. 12. 2015

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 20. 1. 2016
• Supervisor: prof. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D.
• Reader: Mgr. et Mgr. Petra Vejvodová, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
Political Science / European Politics (Eng.)