Vigilantism Against Migrants and Minorities

Abstract

One of the fundamental principles constituting a state is that it has the monopoly of the legitimate use of violence. Vigilante groups are challenging this principle, maintaining that the police are either unable or unwilling to fulfill its tasks, or that it is lacking the legitimacy to do so. Rightwing vigilantism have increased in Europe due to the recent influx of refugees to Europe and high-profiled cases of sexual abuse. These new vigilante groups appear to have rather different profiles in different European countries and achieve very different levels of acceptance and legitimacy. This Panel will explore this variation and why these movements differ.