From the beginning of the current century, many European countries have witnessed the resurgence of extreme right political ideologies in their social and political arenas. Political entities such as the Freedom Party of Austria, Swiss People’s Party, the Dutch Party for Freedom, the Hungarian Jobbik Party, the Swedish Democrats and the German National Democrat Party all share two or more of the following ideologies and characteristics: Euroscepticism, cultural conservatism, anti-globalism, national liberalism, anti-immigration, anti-Islamism, anti-Semitism and right-wing populism. Most of these parties gather under the umbrellas of several right wing formations, particularly as Non-Inscrits, in the European Parliament opposing the process of European integration. Their political success in the period after 2000, underlines the current trend towards right wing politics in Europe.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Evolution of the ‘New Right’
3. Recent Political Successes
4. An Overview of the Extreme Right Parties in Dutch Political History
5. The Netherlands: The Party for Freedom(PVV)
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This academic essay explores the resurgence of extreme right-wing political ideologies in Europe since the early 2000s, examining the factors contributing to their growing prominence and their impact on both national and European political landscapes, with a specific focus on the Dutch Party for Freedom.
- Drivers of far-right political success, including globalization and economic crises.
- Theoretical distinctions between traditional and contemporary extreme right movements.
- The political development of extreme right parties in the Netherlands.
- A detailed case study of Geert Wilders and the Party for Freedom (PVV).
- The relationship between extreme right-wing ideologies and democratic institutions.
Excerpt from the Book
The Evolution of the ‘New Right’
In the previous century, Europe has witnessed violent years of ethnic cleansing, xenophobia and racism. With the allied victory in the WWII, Europe turned a page on its past and looked forward towards a more tolerant and open future. Anti-fascist victory, years of economic growth and lower unemployment rates prevented the rise of any major extreme right movement within Western Europe in the years following the post-war period. However, by the last quarter of the twentieth century, the living memory of the pre-war and wartime years became lesser and some new extreme right movements began to emerge. These new extreme right movements and parties are not exactly the mirror of 1930s-40s political parties in Europe, but there are still some linkages between the contemporary movements and its predecessors (Hainsworth 2008).
Scholars such as Hainsworth point out that the differences between the old and contemporary extreme right organizations in Europe. First, many of the current far right parties have been integrated into electoral system and they work within the parameters of the liberal democratic system and institutions. Second, in comparison to their predecessors, the new far right movements and parties in Europe are contesting a much broader range of political, economic and social issues such as increased European integration and the subsequent decline of the nation-state, economic liberalism, multiculturalism, immigration and Islamism (Hainsworth 2008). It would be misleading to interpret the new extreme Right as a simple continuation of the fascist or national socialist Right. Some analysts such as Kitschelt suggest that the old extreme right has not put enough emphasis on a free market organization of the economy to build a successful electoral coalition today. On contrary, the new extreme right could be seen as a ‘right libertarian’ as the counterpart of the ‘left libertarian’ social movements and parties.(Kitschelt 1997)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the resurgence of extreme right ideologies in Europe, highlighting shared characteristics such as Euroscepticism and anti-immigration stances, while outlining the essay's focus on the Swiss People’s Party and the Dutch Party for Freedom.
2. The Evolution of the ‘New Right’: This section contrasts contemporary far-right movements with historical fascist parties, emphasizing their adaptation to the post-industrial era and their integration into liberal democratic frameworks.
3. Recent Political Successes: This chapter reviews the electoral advancements of various far-right parties across Europe, including the successes in the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, and Hungary since 2000.
4. An Overview of the Extreme Right Parties in Dutch Political History: This chapter tracks the history of extreme right-wing politics in the Netherlands, tracing the lineage from early 20th-century groups to the rise of parties like the Centrumpartij.
5. The Netherlands: The Party for Freedom(PVV): This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the Party for Freedom (PVV), founded by Geert Wilders, examining its policy goals, anti-Islamic platform, and its status as a rising force in Dutch and European politics.
6. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, attributing the rise of the 'New Right' to factors like globalization, economic crises, and identity concerns, while stressing the need for mainstream parties to protect democratic norms.
Keywords
Extreme Right, New Right, Party for Freedom, PVV, Geert Wilders, Euroscepticism, Anti-immigration, Populism, European Integration, Political Ideologies, Dutch Politics, Post-industrialism, Liberal Democracy, Islamism, Xenophobia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the rise of extreme right-wing political parties in Europe from the 2000s onwards and analyzes the specific case of the Dutch Party for Freedom (PVV).
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key themes include the evolution of right-wing ideology, the electoral success of populist parties, the influence of globalization, and the impact of anti-immigration and anti-Islamic policies on European society.
What is the main objective of the research?
The objective is to understand why extreme right-wing ideologies have gained prominence and why parties representing them have successfully entered the political stage in Europe.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper employs a qualitative analysis of political history, case studies of specific parties (notably the PVV), and a review of existing academic literature on political extremism.
What is discussed in the main body?
The body covers the theoretical evolution of the 'New Right', recent electoral trends across several European nations, the historical context of Dutch far-right movements, and a detailed profile of Geert Wilders’ party.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Relevant keywords include Extreme Right, populism, Euroscepticism, anti-immigration, Party for Freedom, Geert Wilders, and European integration.
How does the author distinguish between the 'old' and 'new' extreme right?
The author distinguishes them by noting that 'new' parties operate within the parameters of the liberal democratic system and focus on modern issues like identity crisis and economic liberalism rather than simply mirroring 1930s fascism.
Why does the author consider the Dutch Party for Freedom particularly significant?
It is significant because it has shifted from a minor party to a strong opposition force, successfully winning a substantial number of seats in the Dutch Parliament and influencing political discourse regarding Islam and national identity.
What role does the film 'Fitna' play in the study of the PVV?
The film 'Fitna' is highlighted as a controversial tool used by Geert Wilders to communicate his party's critique of Islam, which subsequently shaped the international perception of the party and its leader.
- Quote paper
- Can Esen (Author), 2011, The Rise of the ‘New Right’ in Europe from the 2000s onwards: The Case of the Dutch "Party for Freedom", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/193979
