Comprehensive Research on Right-Wing Domestic Terrorism
American Zealots by Arie Perliger delivers a rigorous, data-driven examination of right-wing domestic terrorism in the United States. Drawing on a comprehensive dataset of more than 5,000 attacks and their perpetrators from 1990 through 2017, this essential academic work provides unprecedented insight into one of the most pressing security challenges facing America today.
Research-Based Analysis of Far-Right Violence
Professor Perliger's methodology stands apart through its systematic approach to understanding right-wing extremism. The book analyzes historical roots, organizational structures, tactical approaches, and rhetorical strategies employed by far-right groups. This evidence-based framework enables readers to understand both current threats and future trajectories of domestic terrorism originating from the far right of American politics.
Complete Ideological Spectrum Coverage
The research encompasses the entire spectrum of American far-right movements, including white supremacists, antigovernment militias, and antiabortion fundamentalists. Historical context is provided through examination of the KKK, skinheads, and neo-Nazi movements, demonstrating how these ideologies have evolved and manifested in contemporary violence targeting religious and ethnic minorities.
Practical Counterterrorism Applications
Beyond academic analysis, American Zealots offers actionable counterterrorism policy recommendations designed to address the specific characteristics of far-right violence. These evidence-based suggestions respond directly to patterns identified in the comprehensive attack dataset, making this work valuable for security professionals, policymakers, and researchers.
Expert Author Credentials
Arie Perliger serves as professor and director of the graduate program in security studies at the School of Criminology and Justice Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. His extensive publications on political violence include Jewish Terrorism in Israel (Columbia, 2009), establishing his authority in terrorism studies and political extremism research.
Published by Columbia University Press as part of the Columbia Studies in Terrorism and Irregular Warfare series, this paperback edition provides essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the transformation of domestic terrorism in America through scholarly, empirical analysis rather than speculation or sensationalism.
