The ‘Great Replacement’ conspiracy theory was first coined by French writer Renaud Camus. Identitarian movements across Europe (including in Austria, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany) have used the theory to recruit others to their cause, claiming their countries and national “identities” are under threat due to increasing immigrant populations.

The theory has also spread into North American and Australian extreme-right circles. The theory featured heavily in – and was the title of – the “manifesto” of the Australian perpetrator of the attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019, for example.

Related narratives and terminology These narratives feed into a dystopian, conspiratorial theory that spurs xenophobia and racism. It has mobilized into violence, evident in the attacks on the Muslim community of Christchurch in 2019.

White Genocide or White Extinction The idea that there is a conscious effort to replace white populations through immigration, integration, abortion and violence against white people. While similar to the ‘Great Replacement’ theory, white genocide was coined and popularized in the US by David Lane (see also “14 words”). White genocide theory historically singles out Jewish communities as its “orchestrators”.

Eurabia A conspiracy theory that argues Western countries are being “Islamized”, or slowly being brought under Islamic rule. “Islamification” and “Shariafication” imply the same.