Understanding the Role of Visuals in Right-Wing Radicalisation Processes

Visuals have always been part of the right-wing extremist propaganda, as has subculture more broadly; yet recently, the range, quality and reach of audio-visual productions originating in the right-wing extremist scene has increased significantly. An important contribution to this development have been without a doubt the internet and social media in particular. A parallel development has been the recent blurring of boundaries between what has been known as populist vs. extremist or radical right. Indeed, particular visuals are not only specific to 'subcultures', but can be seen across the spectrum. This paper explores the visual productions of right-wing extremist groups in Germany and Austria in the context of individual radicalisation processes. It relies on interviews with former right-wing extremists in German and Austria, from various parts of the right-wing extremist scene and various periods of time, in total 20 interviews, as well as the analysis of the afferent propaganda material as indicated in the interviews. It aims to identify the particular effects of visual artifacts on the various components of radicalisation processes.