Radical Right Extremism in the Nordic Countries : The Nordic Resistance Movement, a Case of Old or New Terrorism?

Abstract: The act of terrorism is a widely discussed topic. How it is conducted as well as how it is countered. A term not so often discussed is the changes we have seen within the field itself, one example being the theory brought about by Peter R. Neumann. This theory is known as Older & Newer Terrorism which divides the terrorism of old with the type of terrorism nowadays. The theory indicates a shift in the structure, aim and methods of terrorist organizations. This being from a hierarchical, nationalist/marxist way with attacks aimed at legitimate targets towards a networked and transnational structure which is religiously inspired and makes use of mass-casualty attacks against civilians. With that aim the thesis seeks to put the theory to the test using the Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM), and determine whether or not it holds up to the test of time. It shows that the theory has some struggle with defining the NRM as a terrorist organization which would operate under the Newer Terrorism term. This in turn leads to the questions of whether or not the theory is flawed in some way, or that the NRM simply should be considered an old terrorist organization.