The Canadian Far-Right and Conspiracy Theories by Al-Rawi, Ahmed; Celestini, Carmen; Stewart, Nicole K.;

Rövid leírás:

This book provides an empirical analysis, mapping, and assessment of Canadian right-wing extremist (RWE) groups and their conspiracy theories.

Hosszú leírás:

This book provides an empirical analysis, mapping, and assessment of Canadian right‑wing extremist (RWE) groups and their conspiracy theories.

While the majority of studies on RWE groups focus on American and European actors, this book critically examines conspiracies disseminated by Canadian actors on different online sites and social media platforms. The authors deploy a mapping metaphor to chart the conspiratorial ideas that RWE groups create and share online. The book also examines the infrastructural terrain that supports mainstream and alternative platforms and the dark monetization structures that act as important conduits for this negative messaging. Theoretically, the study is situated within the concepts of dark social movements where dark participation on dark platforms often occurs. A conceptualization of conspiracy theories is developed by exploring four specific aspects: (1) topics, (2) targets, (3) concerns, and (4) actors. This concept is operationalized by applying it to BitChute and Telegram. The book also offers a historical understanding of different RWE groups and their ideological positions. In addition, it provides an empirical investigation of Google’s autocomplete feature, Amazon books, the Dark Web, and several other alternative social media sites.

It will be of interest to researchers of Canadian politics, conspiracy theories, and the far‑right.

"A solid introduction to the ecosystem of the far-right in Canada, which not only contextualizes the historical and contemporary landscape of right-wing extremism but also delves into the intricate web of conspiracy theories operating today. By employing a mixed-method approach, the authors offer a nuanced understanding of the ever-evolving far-right digital infrastructure that supports these extremist ideologies and allows them to thrive."

Amarnath Amarasingam, Queen's University, Canada

"This historically grounded account of the contours of right-wing extremism in Canada highlights the authors’ observation that the myriad conspiracy theories that characterize the contemporary movement have a long lineage. The book also offers detailed analysis of the ways in which the array of distinct and intersecting conspiracy theories finds a broad audience through their online dissemination. This is an important contribution to the still limited Canadian scholarship, offering a strong empirical analysis of the actors and ideologies that constitute the movement in the 2020s."

Barbara Perry, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Ontario Tech University, Canada

Tartalomjegyzék:

Introduction  1. RWE Context  2. RWE Actors  3. RWE Sites  4. Conclusion  Appendix