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Far-right attacker manifestos provide researchers and practitioners with insights into the thoughts, beliefs, and motivations of their authors. However, a systematic analysis of the gendered ways in which these attackers construct and present their experiences and opinions has not yet been produced. This study fills that gap by analysing the presentations of masculinity across 19 far-right manifestos authored by men. Discourse analysis of terrorist manifestos can unearth where mainstream and extremist discourses coalesce: which elements are taken from the mainstream and embedded into extremist discourse, and what parts of extremist discourse are utilised by mainstream actors. Drawing on the theories of Connell, Firestone, and Laclau, I argue that the attackers in this study discursively construct themselves as men in reference to hegemonic ideas of what constitutes "the man" in Western society. They also attempt to justify their actions and mobilise others to do the same by appealing to "the (white) child" and the duty of themselves as (white) men to protect it. Women are almost entirely neglected in the manifestos, which reflects sexist attitudes surrounding women's agency and presence in society. This paper contributes to the understanding of hegemony and gender in far-right discourse.
Non Davis Frenguelli (Fri,) studied this question.