SIEGE
A Primer of Hate For Societal Collapse
Jeff Fields
September 21, 2023
Analysis
“For the United States there will be no need for concentration camps of any kind, for not a single transgressor will survive long enough to make it to that kind of haven.”
“Revolutionary discipline must mean that WE will be the single survivor in a war against the System, A TOTAL WAR against the System.”
-James Mason
If any other modern book besides The Turner Diaries has emboldened and inspired the Nazi, white supremacist and Accelerationist Movements of today, it would be Siege.
Siege is a collection of writings by James Mason, a prominent figure in the white nationalist and accelerationist movements. The book, published in the 1990s, has become a notorious source of inspiration for extremist ideologies, particularly in the realm of white supremacy and domestic terrorism.
Below is a summary of the book's author, background, influence, and its impact on today's extremist movement.
Author and Philosophy:
James Mason, born in 1952, is a white supremacist and neo-Nazi. He is associated with the ideology of accelerationism, which advocates for the acceleration of societal collapse through acts of violence and terrorism to bring about radical political change.
Mason has been involved with various far right and neo-Nazi groups throughout his life. At the age of 14, Mason became a member of the American Nazi Party (ANC). It is there he met William Luther Pierce, the author of The Turner Diaries. The book’s message took part in codifying Mason’s world view. By the age of 16, he planned to murder his high school principal and other school staff.
One of Mason’s heroes was Charles Manson. In fact, the two corresponded and developed a relationship. As reported by CounterExtremism.com, James Mason formed the Universal Order movement with convicted murderer Charles Manson in the 1970s. Manson designed the movement’s logo, which was a swastika imposed over scales of justice. Mason considered Manson to be “a great leader/philosopher” and looked to him to be the "next Hitler".
As NBC News reported, after pleading guilty in 1991 to illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, Mason served 30-days in jail. After his release, he told The Cincinnati Enquirer he took obscene photos of a 15-year-old girl, allegedly at the request of her husband. By 2019, Mason was eating in soup kitchens and living in government subsidized housing.
Content and Influence of Siege:
As reported by Bridge, a Georgetown University Initiative, Mason took over Siege, then the newsletter of the National Socialist Liberation Front (NSLF) in 1980. When the NSLF disbanded he continued to publish Siege until 1986. The book promotes violent revolution and terrorism as a means to establish a white ethno-state. It rejects the idea of political engagement in favor of direct action, including acts of terrorism, to advance white supremacist goals.
Mason often writes about the conspiracy theory that Jews control the government and the media. These are age-old anti-Semitic tropes and conspiracies that are still alive and well. These theories are rooted in the fabricated document titled Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
Comparing the conspiracy theories presented in James Mason's "Siege" and those in "The Protocols" it becomes evident that both works share a dangerous penchant for promoting extremist ideologies. Both texts serve as conduits for radicalization, employing conspiracy narratives to foment hatred and division.
These works underscore the enduring appeal of conspiratorial thinking in extremist circles, perpetuating ideologies that pose significant threats to social cohesion and national security. Intelligence analysis must remain vigilant in monitoring the dissemination and impact of such materials due to their potential to incite violence and sow discord.
Influence on White Nationalism and White Supremacy:
Siege has played a significant role in radicalizing individuals within the white nationalist and white supremacist movements. Its call for violent, uncompromising action has resonated with those who reject peaceful means of achieving their goals. The book has been widely circulated within far-right circles and has influenced various extremist groups.
Domestic Terror Inspired by the Book:
The influence of "Siege" has been linked to several acts of domestic terrorism and violence carried out by individuals who embraced its ideas. These acts include murders, bombings, and other acts of violence targeting minority communities, law enforcement, and government institutions.
Role in Today's Extremist Movements:
While Siege was originally published in the 1990s it has, according to counterextremism.com, inspired a generation of neo-Nazis who have formed a violent online subculture called “Siege Culture '' devoted to Mason’s calls for independent terror cells to carry out a race war. Siege Culture, as reported by the Centre on Research and Evidence on Security Threats, is considered the most extreme form of fascism and national socialism today.
Much like the Turner Diaries, which influenced Mason’s philosophy, Siege Culture includes the idea of ‘The System’, which is a conspiracy of the government, Jews, capitalists, and all other forces acting against Aryan interests.
These ideas and the book’s influence persist in today's extremist movements. Online communities and forums provide a platform for the dissemination of Mason's writings and the promotion of accelerationist ideologies. According to reports by the Southern Poverty Law Center , today's Neo Nazis are targeting kids as young as 11 to secure a future for their movement.
Law enforcement agencies and counterterrorism experts continue to monitor individuals and groups influenced by Siege due to the ongoing threat they pose.
Prominent Extremist Groups Influenced by the Book:
Various white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups have drawn inspiration from Siege. Some individuals associated with these groups have cited the book as a key influence on their radicalization and actions. The book's ideas have resonated with members of groups like Atomwaffen Division, a violent accelerationist organization that has been linked to multiple acts of domestic terrorism. Siege has also influenced other groups such as The Base, Order of the Nine Angels (ONA) and Sonnenkrieg Division.
The obscure, satanic Order of the Nine Angels is an offshoot of Atomwaffen Division. They have been connected to horrible acts of pedophilia and other violence.
Vice News has reported that James Mason is engaged in a feud with this group. In 2023, ONA was able to pull together enough money to publish a new copy of Mason’s infamous terrorist manifesto—which they called the “666 edition.”
Danger Posed by Adherents:
As should be clear at this point, individuals, and groups, influenced by the philosophy and direction promoted in Siege present a significant danger to society. This is due to their advocacy of violence, terrorism, and the overthrow of democratic institutions.
The violence advocacy is a focal point of concern for law enforcement agencies tasked with countering domestic extremism and ensuring public safety. The decentralized nature of these movements and the ease of radicalization through online platforms make it challenging to predict and prevent acts of violence inspired by this ideology.
In conclusion, Siege is a book that has had a lasting impact on white supremacist, neo-Nazi and accelerationist movements. Its promotion of violence and terrorism as a means of achieving radical political change underscores the ongoing challenge of addressing extremist ideologies in today's world.