David Renton Reviews “Ethics of Researching”!

I am pleased to share long-time antifascist scholar-activist David Renton’s review of The Ethics of Researching the Far Right. I am grateful that Renton appreciated my chapter on the ethical problems involved in trusting and amplifying the narratives of former members of far-right movements:

“Joan Braune’s contribution – for me, the highlight of the book – addresses the neglected phenomenon of far-right conversions away from radicalism…Thinking about the issue ethically means…thinking about it deeply – looking not just at what exes say, [but] about what practical amends they make and listening to their victims.”

You can read the full review here: https://livesrunning.wordpress.com/2024/12/09/mad-bad-and-dangerous-to-get-to-know/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHREyhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTZhZEvfnxXQaf5spG5M0Fx3-3DIeWb9HPsg7MuThHQfqZm3mdVOJOI92Q_aem_cn32rIjC_SRXx4YQLZ6jGQ.

I continue to by quite concerned about this issue, by the way. This is not about whether people can change and be accountable, but rather about the dangers and ethical issues that arise from the empowerment, pressure to trust, and conferral of “expert” status upon former fascists. I would encourage people interested in the issue to check out my chapter, as well as these other pieces on “formers,” among others:

*Kelly and DeCook, “Not So Reformed”

*Papathedorou, “Policy Paper: Ethics of Using Formers to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism”

*Burley, “Can You Ever Trust a Former White Nationalist?”

*Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS), “‘Formers’ Lecture Circuit and Community Dissent”