The Soldiers of Odin Finland : From a local movement to an international franchise

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the growth of the Soldier of Odin Finland from a local phenomenon to an international movement, exploring the reasons behind both the success of the SOO, and its later decline in Finland as well as internationally. Additionally, the chapter describes the connections of the SOO with the Finnish extreme right and competition they had with other street patrol organizations. It scrutinizes the rhetoric they use and the ideology they share, and analyzes profiles of SOO leaders in Finland. The chapter is based on data drawn from interviews with Soldiers of Odin and other street patrol groups, police and court files, and online observation.