The Breivik Case as Paradigm of the new Political Violence

Abstract

After the double attack in Norway on July 22, 2011, committed by Anders Behring Breivik, terrorism in Europe is facing a new threat. This article points out that Breivik’s ideological novelty is not relevant, except for updating past dangers. However, his operational novelty itself must be highlighted for both demonstrating the possibility of “lone wolves” in Europe and showing how every citizen could act to cause a high damage. The article concludes advancing a new paradigm, which can consist in terrorists which are politically motivated by unachievable goals, to promote groups that are extremely abstract or non-existent. That paradigm shows a kind of terrorist with a powerful ideological shield, without capacity of mobilization but with outstanding levels of destruction.