Vigilantism in Greece: The case of the Golden Dawn

This chapter focuses on vigilantism against migrants and minorities in Greece. Specifically, it examines various dimensions of the vigilante activities mainly of the Golden Dawn, a party that frequently uses violence, engages in street politics, has a strong focus on community-based activities, and whose members perceive themselves as ‘street soldiers’, but also of some minor vigilante groups such as Cryptheia and C18. Since 2013 a number of Golden Dawn’s leading cadres, who are also members of the Greek parliament, have been undergoing trial for maintaining a criminal organization and other criminal acts including murder and grievous bodily harm. The progressive entrenchment of this group in the Greek political system has raised a number of questions about its potential implications on the nature of democracy and policy-making. Following a brief overview of the Greek socio-political context, the chapter proceeds to examine the party’s ideology, its organizational structure, its various operations, communications activities and relationships with other political actors and groups in Greece.