Antisemitic Conspiracy Myths and Crisis Discourses as Focal Points of Far-Right Mobilization: Bavaria in a Transregional and European Context

This dual project examines antisemitic conspiracy myths from sociological and political science perspectives, focusing on their structure, function, and significance within party-affiliated and non-party-affiliated far-right extremism in Bavaria. It is an empirically grounded, qualitative foundational study with significant societal relevance and timeliness.

Special attention is given to conspiracy narratives surrounding the “refugee crisis” of 2014 and the following years, the crisis of COVID, the climate crisis, and the crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Antisemitism has been the central conspiracy myth of political modernity, offering personified “explanations” for societal processes, crises, wars, and transformations by attributing them to actions of “the Jews.” It is considered the quintessential historical conspiracy fantasy. Conspiracy myths are thus deeply intertwined with antisemitism, and vice versa.

The project examines how far-right mobilization and communication in Bavaria during these perceived crises draw on implicitly or explicitly antisemitic conspiracy myths. Additionally, it explores the convergence of far-right discourses with broader societal crisis narratives. Particular attention will be given to the intersections of antisemitism and conspiracy ideologies with sexist, anti-feminist, nationalist, and racist rhetoric. Finally, the findings will be contextualized within a broader transregional and European framework, addressing a significant gap in existing research.

Prof. Dr. Lars Rensmann

University of Passau

Chair of Political Science & Comparative Government

Lars.Rensmann@uni-passau.de

Prof. Dr. Karin Stögner

University of Passau

Chair of Sociology

Karin.Stoegner@uni-passau.de

Elke Rajal

University of Passau

Chair of Sociology

Elke.Rajal@uni-passau.de

Nikolai Schreiter

University of Passau

Chair of Political Science & Comparative Government

Nikolai.schreiter@uni-passau.de

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