Left-wing extremist violence: Risk and protective factors in a targeted sample of potential extremists

While research on right-wing and religious-isla- mist motivated extremism has increased in recent years, the same is not the case for left-wing extremism. This study examines specific risk and protective factors of left-wing extremism. Using an online questionnaire, we studied a sample of 144 potential extremists, which we re- cruited via left leaning and extremist left-wing groups. The focus in our study was on aggressive and violent behavior (not only on attitudes). 51 % of our participants were male with a mean age of M = 26.74 (SD = 6.11). 92 had engaged in politically motivated violence towards property and/or persons. We examined theoretically relevant constructs on the individual level and in the social environment. A hier- archical regression analysis »explained« about 50 % of the variance regarding politically motivated violence. Positive integration into a violent extremist social environment was related to politically motivated violence. A personal criminal history predicted engagement as well. Percep- tions of procedural justice and legitimacy were identified as a protective factor. In an exploratory discriminant ana- lysis, we also examined differences between those who were »only« involved in violence towards objects (others’property) and those who were also involved in violence towards persons. Positive attitudes towards the use of ex- tremist violence were important in predicting group mem- bership. The results are considered in light of current re- search and strengths as well as limitations are discussed. More empirical research on left-wing extremism is neces- sary, especially studies using longitudinal designs.