European Far-Right
University of York
Lecture 1 – Unpacking the far-right phenomenon
The far right in historical perspective
first part of 1900s; 'organic notion, strong state and radical bottom-up paramilitary movement'
variations of fascism (Mann, 2004):
o Italian; German National Socialism; Spanish long-lived authoritarianism (Primo de
Rivera 1923-30; Franco regime 1939-75), Austria/Hungary
far righe becomes marginalised post-WW2
These parties were rejected by voters due to widespread support for democracy / stigma
Average vote share (national parliamentary elections)
1980-89: 1.1%, 8 parties in 17 countries
2010-18: 7.5%, 34 parties in 28 countries
o Mudde, 2019: 19
Seats in European Parliament
2009, 49 seats; 2014, 84; 2019, 91
France, FN, 3 in 2009, 23/22 in 2014/19
Italy, Lega Nord, 9 in 2009, 5 in 2014, but 28 in 2019
Three broad theories to explain rise, persistence and variation
Supply
o W3: Party ideology
o W4: Party policy
o W5: Party campaigns
Demand
o W6: the socio-demographic profile of far right voters
o W7: the psychological profile of far right voters
Context
o W8: party competition and the electoral marketplace
The effects of the far right
o W9: implications for democracy and public policy
Key sociological theories
Modernisation thesis (Betz. 1993)
fundamental structural social and cultural changes in post-WW2 European societies from
1960s onwards
de-industrialisation process - need for highly skilled workforce - bifurcation of labour market
o highly skilled affluent middle class vs unskilled or semi-skilled 'underclass'
cultural change - dissipation of social class distinctions and rise of individualism (against
collectivism)
Post-materialist cleavage and the silent counter-revolution (Ignazi, 1992)
shift from materialist to post-materialist values (Inglehart, 1977)
changing dynamics of political competition
o success of the new left in the 1960s and 1970s created a (neo-)conservative backlash
in the 1980s - radicalisation at the cultural level
o authority, patriotism, traditional values became re-emphasised
Globalisation cleavage (Kriesi et al., 2006)
globalisation - competition
o economic - sectoral; international
o cultural - immigration
o national versus supra-national authorities
winners - entrepreneurs/qualified employees in sectors open to international competition &
cosmopolitan citizens
, losers - entrepreneurs/qualified employees in protected sectors; unqualified; and citizens who
strongly identify themselves with their national community
cultural and material threats not perceived as distinct
Pathological normalcy (Mudde, 2010) ideology
key features of the far right in line with key tenets of mainstream ideologies
o nationalism/nativism - self-determination (in national Constitutions)
o authoritarianism
conservative belief in law and order
religious belief in authority
o populism - tension between bottom-up vs. top-down democracy
nationalism/nativism
o wide popular opposition to immigration
o Europeans pride in their nationality
authoritarianism - popular support for
o tough prison sentences
o strong police presence
populism - popular
o lack of trust in institutions (gov't, parliament, political elites)
o perception that politicians are corrupt
Conclusion
what explains the rise of the far right?
do the same theories also explain cross-country, within-country and cross-time variation?
difficult to disentangle demand from supply
to understand the far right phenomenon, we need to analyse the political environment,
structural conditions, party strategies and the voters
different explanations of the rise compared to variation?
University of York
Lecture 1 – Unpacking the far-right phenomenon
The far right in historical perspective
first part of 1900s; 'organic notion, strong state and radical bottom-up paramilitary movement'
variations of fascism (Mann, 2004):
o Italian; German National Socialism; Spanish long-lived authoritarianism (Primo de
Rivera 1923-30; Franco regime 1939-75), Austria/Hungary
far righe becomes marginalised post-WW2
These parties were rejected by voters due to widespread support for democracy / stigma
Average vote share (national parliamentary elections)
1980-89: 1.1%, 8 parties in 17 countries
2010-18: 7.5%, 34 parties in 28 countries
o Mudde, 2019: 19
Seats in European Parliament
2009, 49 seats; 2014, 84; 2019, 91
France, FN, 3 in 2009, 23/22 in 2014/19
Italy, Lega Nord, 9 in 2009, 5 in 2014, but 28 in 2019
Three broad theories to explain rise, persistence and variation
Supply
o W3: Party ideology
o W4: Party policy
o W5: Party campaigns
Demand
o W6: the socio-demographic profile of far right voters
o W7: the psychological profile of far right voters
Context
o W8: party competition and the electoral marketplace
The effects of the far right
o W9: implications for democracy and public policy
Key sociological theories
Modernisation thesis (Betz. 1993)
fundamental structural social and cultural changes in post-WW2 European societies from
1960s onwards
de-industrialisation process - need for highly skilled workforce - bifurcation of labour market
o highly skilled affluent middle class vs unskilled or semi-skilled 'underclass'
cultural change - dissipation of social class distinctions and rise of individualism (against
collectivism)
Post-materialist cleavage and the silent counter-revolution (Ignazi, 1992)
shift from materialist to post-materialist values (Inglehart, 1977)
changing dynamics of political competition
o success of the new left in the 1960s and 1970s created a (neo-)conservative backlash
in the 1980s - radicalisation at the cultural level
o authority, patriotism, traditional values became re-emphasised
Globalisation cleavage (Kriesi et al., 2006)
globalisation - competition
o economic - sectoral; international
o cultural - immigration
o national versus supra-national authorities
winners - entrepreneurs/qualified employees in sectors open to international competition &
cosmopolitan citizens
, losers - entrepreneurs/qualified employees in protected sectors; unqualified; and citizens who
strongly identify themselves with their national community
cultural and material threats not perceived as distinct
Pathological normalcy (Mudde, 2010) ideology
key features of the far right in line with key tenets of mainstream ideologies
o nationalism/nativism - self-determination (in national Constitutions)
o authoritarianism
conservative belief in law and order
religious belief in authority
o populism - tension between bottom-up vs. top-down democracy
nationalism/nativism
o wide popular opposition to immigration
o Europeans pride in their nationality
authoritarianism - popular support for
o tough prison sentences
o strong police presence
populism - popular
o lack of trust in institutions (gov't, parliament, political elites)
o perception that politicians are corrupt
Conclusion
what explains the rise of the far right?
do the same theories also explain cross-country, within-country and cross-time variation?
difficult to disentangle demand from supply
to understand the far right phenomenon, we need to analyse the political environment,
structural conditions, party strategies and the voters
different explanations of the rise compared to variation?
