2017/04/27 by Michael Barkun · 4 citations
Social Sciences · #Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence #Populism, Right-Wing Movements
paper · doi:10.1080/09546553.2017.1313649
openalex publication_date 2017/04/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2025/11/06
The “fringe”—rejected and marginalized ideas and beliefs—has historically been clearly divided from the cultural and political mainstream. However, recent technological developments have weakened the boundary separating them. The Internet and social media have made it possible for fringe ideas to move much more readily into the mainstream. The Trump campaign was accompanied by the massive infusion of fringe motifs including the denigration of ethnic and religious groups; the support of political extremists; and the acceptance of conspiracy theories. As the fringe becomes legitimated by this mainstreaming, the possibilities for violence increase.