Conflict and immigration in Norway : Breivik and the rise of the far right

Abstract

This thesis examines far right discourse in Europe and in Norway, and the increasing stigmatization and antagonism aimed at Muslim immigrants. The focus of this thesis is on Norway. Written a year after the terrorist acts by Anders Behring Breivik, it examines his motives and argues that far from being a product of political deviation confined to the fringes of society, much of his reasoning follows a broader political discourse that has been developing in Europe and also in Norway. The second part of this thesis examines nationalism and societal barriers that immigrants face in Norway, and investigates whether Muslims immigrants face more hostility than other immigrants. The third part focuses on the Norwegian media and its role in framing Muslim immigrants.