Are There Pathways Out of Right-Wing Extremism?

June 25, 2024

Tiana Gaudette, a doctoral student in the School of Criminal Justice, led a team of researchers who analyzed the struggles people face when leaving the world of right-wing extremism. The research team is hoping to understand the processes of deradicalization (the rejection of extremist ideologies) and disengagement (leaving associated extremist groups) to help others leave as well. 

Little is known about the process of deradicalization and disengagement, Gaudette said. This is due to the fact that most studies related to terrorism and extremism only focus on the pathways leading to radicalization. Very few have ever studied what has led people to actually leave a life of violent extremism.  

To learn why people have left the world of extremism, Gaudette examined interview data from Dr. Ryan Scrivens’ post-doctoral research fellowship at Concordia University. Dr. Scrivens interviewed “Formers,” – people who are former extremists. The interviews with Formers, which often spanned several hours, covered a range of topics from their time as an extremist to what caused them to leave.  

One of the most surprising findings from the interviews was the absence of a single, uniform pathway into or out of right-wing extremism. Each participant's journey was marked by unique factors and circumstances.  

However, the research team found that there were three main reasons for leaving. 

1. The birth of a child. These Formers said that they did not want to raise their children in an environment where violence (or the threats of violence) was common. 

1. Physical, mental/emotional fatigue and burnout. These Formers said that the stress and pressure associated with being involved took a toll on their wellbeing.  

1. Disillusionment. These Formers said they left after realizing that their relationships with other extremists were disappointing or not what they “signed up for.” 

Although the Formers in this study had all left the right-wing extremist groups, this didn’t always mean that they also changed their beliefs. Gaudette said “A key finding from this study was that although the participants claimed to have disengaged from violent extremism and were self-described as “formers,” most still maintained their radical beliefs, with some feeling ashamed by their persisting views but most embracing them.”  

The reasons for their beliefs persisting even after leaving could be due to a variety of factors. Gaudette said that the degree of involvement, number of years involved in violent extremism, roles served within organizations, and the participant’s propensity for violence could all play a role in extremist beliefs persisting into their current life.  

Gaudette says she hopes that the findings of this research will be useful to practitioners involved in the processes of disengagement and deradicalization. The insights from former extremists can provide valuable guidance for developing more effective intervention strategies. 

Looking ahead, Gaudette hopes that research will be conducted to compare the pathways out of extremism across different movements, across countries, and across different time frames.