A Paler Shade of White: In-Group Critique in James Mason's Siege

Discussions of extremist ideologies naturally focus on how in-groups criticize and attack out-groups. But many important extremist ideological texts are disproportionately focused on criticizing their own in-group. A new research report from J.M. Berger uses linkage-based analysis to examine Siege, a White nationalist tract that has played an important role in shaping modern neo-Nazi movements, including such violent organizations as Atomwaffen Division and The Base. While Siege strongly attacks out-groups, including Jewish and Black people, the book is overwhelmingly a critique of how the White people of its in-group fall short of Nazi ideals. Siege’s central proposition—that the White in-group is disappointing, deeply corrupt, and complacent—shapes its argument for an “accelerationist” strategy to hasten the collapse of society in order to build something entirely new. 

Buy the new book, Extremism, by J.M. Berger. Previous works include:

-- ISIS: The State of Terror by Jessica Stern and J.M. Berger
-- Jihad Joe: Americans Who Go to War in the Name of Islam

For more information, visit www.jmberger.com

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