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Right-wing extremism,
radicalism and populism in
Europe and the US
Todays’ menu
Session 5. United against the European Union?
Session 6. Why is the far right here? Explanatory models
Debate on:
Outline
A postmaterialist agenda?
(data; Eurobarometer & Gallup)
Why is the far right here? Explanatory models
c) External supply-side explanations
The success of the far right is said to be related to their strategies of redefinition
in terms of four main aspects:
Ideology
Leadership
Organization
Internationalization
“We don’t want people that are different from us here. And it’s not only
a matter of being white or black. It’s a matter of protecting the
European civilization from disappearing. Everyone must be free to
preserve his culture, religion, and habits but in his own country”.
(M. 29, Northern League, Italy)
Why is the far right here? Explanatory models
d) Does immigration fuel support for the far right?
The ‘’changing discourse’’ hypothesis:
Immigration and the economy in a globalized world
Immigration as an economic ‘threat’
“My party doesn’t fight only for a cut of one percent point of the VAT! We are patriots, engaged in a
civilizational struggle to defend our national identity. Defending our national identity and culture will
help our workers not to be exploited by rootless multinationals that find their best ally in the EU”.
(A. Front National, France, 38)
Why is the far right here? Explanatory models
d) Does immigration fuel support for the far right?
• 24 EU countries
In sum…
No simple explanation:
Numbers have little explanatory power
A reframed anti-immigration discourse (culture, economy and
globalization)
Changing positions of mainstream parties on immigration issues
Debate
• Parker, C. S., & Barreto, M. A. (2014). “Who likes Tea?” in Change they
can't believe in: the Tea Party and reactionary politics in America.
Princeton University Press, Chapter 2, 66-101.
Thank you for your attention
NB: All references are available in the ‘compulsory readings’ for Session 6