Tradition and Authoritarianism as a Solution to Social Decay- An Analysis of Canadian Right- Wing Extremism Online

Abstract

Recently, Canadian researchers have turned their attention to online right-wing extremism. For this research I conducted a content analysis of 300 Facebook and Twitter posts from the accounts of three Canadian right-wing extremist groups: Yellow Vests Canada, ID Canada and the Soldiers of Odin BC. My research examines the key claims right-wing extremist groups make about Canadian identity, belonging and politics and how they justify these claims. I found that they make four key claims on social media: that Canadian identity is white, that Canadian values are traditional values, that society is decaying, and that authoritarian governments should be elected. However, these claims are not overt, rather right-wing extremist groups discuss apolitical topics such as rising crime and misplaced white guilt. These topics together convey a particular message that is in keeping with what literature suggests are extremist groups ideological beliefs such as racial nationalism, strong states, and online mobilization.