Hate Crimes

Hate crimes, hate offenses, or prejudice crimes are key terms that occupy a prominent place in the current debate on right-wing extremism. Marc Coester engages in a thorough scientific analysis from a criminological and social science perspective, examining for the first time the emergence and development, as well as the legal positioning of the concept of hate crimes from the USA. He contrasts it with the concept of right-wing extremism and explores whether and how it could be effectively applied in Germany. In doing so, the author employs the methodology of comparative criminology and legal comparison, comprehensively analyzing seven dimensions of both concepts (definitions, developments, judicial handling, statistical and empirical profiles, theories, and preventive-educational models) and presenting them clearly and in line with current standards. The result is a careful and compelling presentation of how it might be possible to transfer relevant concepts from one society to another.