October 15, 2021

Within the article - Right-Wing Waves: Applying the Four Waves Theory to Transnational and Transhistorical Right-Wing Threat Trends – Amber Hart applies the theory of waves of modern terrorism to right-wing extremist terrorist acts. The purpose of the article is to discuss right-wing extremism in the milieu of David C. Rapoport's Theory of Waves of Modern Terrorism and analyze its' wavy nature. The paper also draws on the research of Kristy Campion, who applied the same theory directly to right-wing extremist terrorist acts in Australia.
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It is noteworthy that Rapport, in his works, divides the history of modern terrorism into four main waves: anarchist, anti-colonial (nationalist), Marxist (leftist), and religious. Each of them lasts for about 40 years, and today the world is already at the end of the religious wave, and it is unknown what event or movement will determine the next wave. Hart's article offers a slight deviation from Rapoport's Theory. Similar to Campion's research, it distinguishes anti-communist, anti-immigration, and anti-Islamic trends in far-right terrorist events, both in transnational and historical frameworks. In the article, the author argues that the "wavy nature" of terrorism can be observed internationally. Rapoport's model fits the so-called traditional terrorist activities, and the events imbued with right-wing ideology.