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‘With one’s back to the wall?’ A Social Systems Theory Approach to the Comparative Study of Revolutionary Terrorism Florian Edelmann A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of International Politics Aberystwyth University 30 September 2016 103,920 19 January 2017 19 January 2017 19 January 2017 19 January 2017 Thesis Abstract This PhD thesis develops a complex, multi-layered conceptual framework and analytical strategy for approaching ‘clandestine political violence’ (della Porta 2013) from a thoroughly communicative perspective. More precisely, the thesis sets out to conceptualise how revolutionary identities are (re)produced in radical ‘discourse communities’ (Apter 1997b) by interpreting socio-political realities, constructing counter-memories, and establishing a semantics of ‘armed struggle’ to legitimise the use of violent means in non- revolutionary situations and pacified, democratic societies. Its theoretical framework builds on Niklas Luhmann’s social systems theory (Luhmann 1995a, 1998, 2002a; Luhmann and Hellmann 1996) as well as on seminal work in social movement studies (Bosi and della Porta 2012; Caiani et al. 2012; della Porta 1995; Zwerman et al. 2000), social semiotics and critical discourse analysis (Fairclough 1995c; Fairclough et al. 2011; Halliday 1978b, 1985; Wodak 1989, 1996; Wodak and Meyer 2009). The project’s empirical chapters comparatively analyse the writings of two left-wing armed formations in late 20th century Germany and the ways in which these were perceived in the contemporary radical counter-public. Case studies are the ‘2nd of June Movement’ and the ‘Revolutionary Cells’, two German groups ‘in the shadow of the RAF’ (Kraushaar 2006b). A range of leaflets, brochures and self- identified radical periodicals provide the source material for mapping out the counter-public. Common sense in terrorism studies literature often has it that texts produced by terrorist groups are jargon-ridden, semantically one-dimensional, and purely rhetorical pieces of inwards-directed ideological justification, more auto-propaganda than actual political communication (Cordes 1987a; della Porta 1995; Rapoport 1988). In contrast, the conceptual framework of this thesis argues that meanings, identities, and interpretations of socio-political realities are negotiated in more complex ways within the writings of armed formations. In different ways and to different degrees, even the closed, small-scale social systems of clandestine groups enter into (indirect) conversations with their wider social environment. 3 Acknowledgments Writing these acknowledgments essentially means that a long journey has come to an end on which many people have left their mark. It is frankly impossible to do all of you justice and it is equally obvious that these remarks will be inconclusive and eclectic to say the least. My deepest gratitude goes to Dr Anwen Elias and Dr Kamila Stullerova, a fantastic supervisory team, as well as to Dr Claudia Hillebrand by whom I had the pleasure to be supervised for the first two and a half years of my doctoral research. Insightful comments, probing questions, incredible support, and the willingness to follow some of my more tangential digressions have made this experience what it is. I can imagine that it might have been difficult at times not to lose patience and keep the trust that this research will eventually materialise into a manageable thesis. What I cannot imagine are any better supervisors that could provide a better intellectual environment for working on a PhD. Thank you all very much, you are truly amazing. I am grateful to Aberystwyth University for the funding granted by a generous Doctoral Career Development Scholarship (DCDS) and other material and immaterial support I received throughout my doctoral research. The unparalleled academic climate within the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University also was essential for finishing this thesis. The level of intellectual engagement and the fact that research students participate in the department’s scholarly life on an equal footing helped me to keep confidence in my work and the faith in academia. Aberystwyth is blessed with many unique treasuries; y Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru or the National Library of Wales, where most of this thesis has been written, is one of the most important ones to me. I would like to thank all librarians, porters, support staff, researchers, technicians, and readers of this very precious institution. This is not only because of the amazing fact that a fully stocked copyright library is at every residents’ disposal and requests are processed by some of the most competent librarians I have ever met, but also because all of you made me feel welcome in Wales. Diolch yn fawr! I am deeply indebted to my mother, Bärbel Edelmann, for always supporting me and believing in me. I know this has been difficult at times; I cannot say how much I admire you for that and I am sure I would not be here without it. I would also like to thank my late father, Erich Edelmann, who had the patience to discuss with a younger, more rebellious, and more annoying version of myself honestly and seriously about politics and society. Political discussions and kitchen tables will always be related for me and that is thanks to you. Furthermore, my big-hearted brother Martin Edelmann, his brilliant wife Ulrike Würz, and their incredible daughter Ella Würz have been great and very patient friends who provided much needed grounding even if they have not seen much of me in the last four years. I would also like to express my gratitude to my dear uncle Heinz, who has not only always been a political role model and a rock in the changing tides of leftist attitudes, but also an invaluable source of information on the undogmatic German left. The first steps of my long academic journey trace back to the Departments of Political Sciences and Sociology at the University of Regensburg. My deep-felt gratitude goes to Prof Dr Martin Sebaldt for recognising enough of what he uses to call criminal energy and encouraging me to pursue this way. He also supported work on the research proposal that got me to Aberystwyth and the funding for finishing the doctorate. I am also very much obliged to the late Prof Dr Goetze who left a deep imprint on my ways of thinking about the social world. Without having met him, academia would not be the same place and I will never forget his ways of shaking up our preconceptions in 4 class with seemingly easy questions and a most humble attitude towards the significance of social sciences. Furthermore, I would like to thank Prof Dr Stephan Bierling very much who was brave enough to offer me employment after graduation by mere word of mouth and supported my efforts to move on tremendously; I hope he did not regret it too much. PD Dr Alexander Straßner accompanied me throughout my studies in politics at Regensburg University and encouraged me in more than one way. He also convinced me that what I considered a slightly pathological fascination with political violence actually was academically interesting. My heartfelt thanks for mentoring me into becoming the kind of researcher I am now – obviously the flaws are all mine. Finally, PD Dr Oliver Hidalgo fuelled not only my love for social and political theory, but also forced me to leave my comfort zone and explain theoretical flirts in comprehensible terms time and again for which I am grateful. I am also deeply indebted to the staff at four great research institutes and movement archives that keeps the memory of the extra-parliamentarian left in all its complexities and contradictions alive. My sincere gratitude for opening the archives of the Internationaal Instituut voor Sociale Geschiedenis (International Institute of Social History IISG), the Hamburger Institut für Sozialforschung (Hamburg Institute for Social Research HIS), the APO-Archiv (Archive of the Extra- Parliamentary Opposition), and the Papiertiger Archiv und Bibliothek der Sozialen Bewegungen (Paper Tiger Archive and Library of Social Movements). I hope my work does justice to the efforts of these institutions. When funding ran finally out in fourth year, I was lucky enough to turn a long-term hobby into a job. I thank all staff in shop, restaurant, and kitchen at the Treehouse Wales in Aberystwyth for believing that I might become a chef at some point. Since you are too many to mention everyone, I would just like to express my gratitude to Matt Williams, Gill, Aisha Gwadabe, and Adam Wiliams in particular who taught me the treehouse ways. I will be less stressed and less fussy with the rota from now on, I promise. The list of people with whom I had the pleasure to share fridges, groceries, bills, and non- existing cleaning rotas in the last 10 odd years is too long to even begin with it. Adhemar Mercado, Sarah Jamal, Odín Morón, and Katharina Höne at Plas Tudor in Aberystwyth, Manuela Ascher, Lena Stern, Linda Ostermann, Sebastian Kiefer, Steilo, Georg Gampe, and Daniel Hoffmann at the P2 in Regensburg shall do for now. It was great living with you and my apologies that I figured out the emancipatory value of cleaning rotas only during the last year of my PhD (and with the help of primary sources, as usual). Other old and new friends also cannot go unnoticed. Some of you gave me shelter during archival research, some of you are just always there to listen if need be, but all of you left a deep imprint on me. I am glad that I met Annabel Maas, Carl Melchers, Doris Liebscher, Felix Bußmann, Hanna Smuda, Harald Retzbach, Jessica Schmidt, Otze, and many, many more. The incredible PhD community at the Department of International Politics and my cohort in particular have also been crucial for making this experience what it is.
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