Far-right parties in Europe are growing at a significantly fast rate. This family of parties has an ideological makeup that focuses its strategy on the demand and supply sides to gain electoral success. The focus on the demand side uses the electorate’s feelings and grievances. These challenges help to build the “demand” among the voters for far-right parties. The other strategy employed by these groups focuses on supply-side politics. These political actions focus mainly on how the choices that far-right parties make. They present alternative policies to the electorate and use these as a political opportunity structure. Far-right scholars often argue the importance of understanding the interaction between demand-side and supply-side factors in any political climate.
Far-right success in postwar Europe has come in waves. During the 1980s, the third wave began taking over Europe. It was at this time that many far-right parties formed coalition governments. Countries such as Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland led coalitions. They helped support the formation of minority governments in countries such as Bulgaria and Norway. These parties’ primary objective is to form a national government. They have yet to achieve the significant electoral success required to govern however these parties have also proven to be influential in countries like France and Belgium.
Due to their significant influence over the voters, the re-emergence of far-right parties has raised the alarm. Politically established groups, members of the media, and academia have voiced concerns over the apparent successes achieved by far-right parties. These groups have become a marginal electoral force in numerous European countries.
Ideology
Far-right party families often identify based on their historical origins. These origins often dictate their transnational links, party name, and ideology. The core ideology of the far right is based on 58 different characteristics. This data shows a lack of consensus on the main variants of the far-right party family. The main themes show that these far-right parties believe in radicalism/extremism, populism, and nationalism.
Radical Right or Extreme Right?
Far-right parties are either radical or extremist. These political associations find their ideology is based on a total reform of the political and economic system. Some parties believe in extremism and are opposed to democracy. Germany is one of the few European countries with a recognized distinction between anti-democratic “extremist” and “radical” parties. Extremist parties are often banned. Radicalism involves questioning critical aspects of the constitutional order. These groups are tolerated as radicalism is not considered a moderate form of extremism. Far-right parties often give their members incentives to encourage them to hide their extremism, which can lead to legal repercussions.
Radicalism in Europe has to exist between liberal democracy and capitalism. Far-right radical parties are inherently “anti-system”. The concepts of radicalism and extremism are also found on the left wing.
Populism
Populism is a critical concept that anchors the ideological appeal of many far-right parties. Populism views society as divided. Populism believes that people are morally superior. Far-right parties acknowledge that there are two homogeneous and antagonistic groups. The members of these two groups form “the pure people” and “the corrupt elite,”. They believe politics is a vehicle that should reflect the people’s general will. The parties are radical and willing to act on their feelings of opposition to elitism and pluralism.
Pluralism believes society is made up of multiple groups with differing interests. To achieve national harmony, a process of bargaining is required. Populism is against the notion that meaningful divisions among “the people” exist. Populism often simplifies political issues. It sees the elite as parasites who enrich themselves systematically.
Populist supporters require authority and power to be placed in the unfettered hands of the citizens. These groups advocate for referendums, popular initiatives, and executive elections decided by votes. Far-right parties have an optimistic view of majority rule. This stance is the main reason why it contends directly against liberal democracy.=
Nationalism
Nationalism is a critical feature in far-right parties. They advocate for the state and nation to become one. Nationalism considers the state of being the primary unit of human organization. It allows its members the choice to become members of a civic nation. To become accepted, the members must subscribe to cultural values and practices. A culturally homogeneous country allows assimilation and repatriation. States will try and move towards a monocultural state.
Far-Right Parties Importance
Economic, social, cultural and political reasons have made far-right European parties popular again. Various European countries faced a financial crisis triggered in 2008, leading to European governments pursuing neoliberal deficit control and austerity measures. The lower economic classes often feel the impact of these policies. The privileged élite often see their wealth increase while the rest of the population remains dissatisfied with the economy.
These parties have gained support because of the crisis that democracy is facing. Democratic politics has continued to evolve because of the high finance. The alternation between centre-right and centre-left governments has provided little civic change to the voters. Many citizens feel there is a need for alternative economic models.
Voters have become dissatisfied with the subtle variations in leadership that reduce pluralist elections to empty rituals. The far-right parties in Europe are gaining popularity due to the perceived lack of alternatives that force citizens to look across the spectrum for ideas on whom to elect. The members of these parties are often seen as radical and ready to take action. This policy stance often goes down well with highly disgruntled voters who want action taken immediately against the proponents of the governance system.
