The purpose of this thesis is to explain the social dynamics which may impact the development of right-wing radicalization in Denmark. The thesis is a qualitative study based on 4 retro perspective interviews with people who have been part of radical right-wing gang-like groups and/or political organizations.

The analysis is divided into 3 sections: the way into the right-wing environment, life in the right-wing environment, and the way out of the right-wing environment. For empiric analysis Quintan Wiktorowicz’s stage theory of radicalization, Howard S. Becker’s labelling theory and Albert K. Cohen’s theory of subculture have been used.

Based on the analysis the conclusion is that social dynamics in the childhood environment and in the school, have an impact on the development of a “radicalization career”. People who grow up in a family with social problems and/or have a difficult time at school are attracted by gangs and people who grow up in a family without social problems and without problems at school are attracted by political organizations. Furthermore, the analysis concludes that there are differences between gangs and political organizations. Gangs tends to be pro radicalization and the political organizations can be against radicalization.

The analysis also concludes how people are introduced to the extreme group/organization for the first time. This contact is established by people in their social network. The analysis tells us that people are not always radicalized at that point. Some people are not radicalized until they become members of a gang or a political organization. Some people are open about their membership and others keep it a secret. The consequences of this can be positive or negative – a negative consequence of being open can be that other people outside the radical environment change their perception about you in a negative way. And this can lead to either further radicalization or de-radicalization.

Finally, the analysis concludes that the reasons of people withdrawing from the radical environment are many. Related to the groups the reasons may be internal conflicts, dissolvement of existing groups, establishment of new alternatives. New personal obligations outside the environment can also be a reason for leaving.

The conclusions of the analysis of this thesis contribute with new knowledge in this field. This knowledge can advantageously be used in the preventive work in the area of extremism and radicalization.