The dark side of European politics: unmasking the radical right

Abstract:

The first part of this article argues that the recent emergence of right-wing political parties in Western Europe does not constitute either a return to fascism, a new form of extremism, or simply a new incarnation of populism, nor can its reappearance be explained by the 'new values/old values' approach of the post-materialist school. Instead, it proposes that it is more accurate to refer to the emergence of right-wing parties as radical right populism. The second part of the article argues that radical right populist parties have a specific party organisational structure, mobilising tactics, and a specific ideology.

Radical right populist parties combine charismatic leadership, a populist discourse and a hierarchical party structure with the ability of the organisations to penetrate and mobilise disenfranchised and alienated voters within civil society. They employ an anti-state, anti-bureaucratic, anti-elite, anti-European Union political message. This message is coupled with the scapegoating of immigrants and 'outsiders'. And finally, radical right populist parties paradoxically support a free-market economy, while opposing economic and cultural globalisation.

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