Anti-EU Parties and the People: An Analysis of Populism in French Euromanifestos (original) (raw)
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Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 2010
Political radicalism has generated a large scholarly interest in recent years, both in Western and in Central Europe. Two series of explanations have been used to account for the success of radical parties in the scientific literature. The first one studies populism or radical politics through an analysis of electoral behaviour and/or radical groups’ strategies at the national level of government. The second perspective deals with the European dimension of radical politics and researches critical attitudes regarding European integration under the generic term Euroscepticism. These two approaches to political radicalism have developed simultaneously but in an isolated way from each one other. The case studies presented in this volume aim at bridging this gap by focusing on the links between the Europeanization of political competition on the one hand, and the rise of radical parties on the other hand, in selected member states of the enlarged European Union.
Political radicalism has generated a large scholarly interest in recent years, both in Western and in Central Europe. Two series of explanations have been used to account for the success of radical parties in the scientific literature. The first one analyzes the rise of far right political actors in a context of decline of traditional political affiliations (i.e. Communist, Social-Democratic and Christian-Democratic parties), of transformation of the welfare state and of opening of national political fields to single-issue parties denouncing what their leaders call " the immigration threat " (Ignazi 2006; Merkl and Weinberg 2003). The phenomenon is labelled populism or radical politics and studied through an analysis of electoral behaviour and/or radical groups' strategies at the national level of government. The second perspective, focusing on the European dimension of radical politics, links the rise of extremist parties to a broader reflexion on the constitution of a multi-level European polity composed of subnational, national and supranational arenas of political representation. Under the generic term Euroscepticism 1 , it focuses on critical attitudes regarding European integration expressed by politicians that either oppose the Europeanization of national policies (Taggart 1998) or reject acceding to the EU in candidate countries (Taggart and Szczerbiak 2005). These two approaches to political radicalism have developed simultaneously but in an isolated way from each one other. Yet regardless of their different terminologies, they both rely on the implicit or explicit assumption that political games have become influenced by European dynamics since the 1980s. Research on populism underlines the European dimension, in the geographical sense, of the populist phenomenon which spread over the continent since the late 1980s, while the Euroscepticism perspective analyses the creation of arenas of political competition that are more and more distinct from national political games. The EU is portrayed as an autonomous and differentiated political field, where actors are involved in specific activities. This field of research sheds light on the process of Europeanization, i.e. the inclusion of European issues into domestic politics which blurs the distinction between national and European political competitions and provides political actors with new constraints and new opportunities (Featherstone and Radaelli 2003; Goetz 2000). This volume aims at bridging the gap between these two fields of research in order to analyse the potential links between the Europeanization of political competition on the one hand, and the rise of radical parties on the other hand. It takes into consideration Western but also Central Europe, where comparable processes have taken place between the fall of communism in 1989 and the accession to the European Union in 2004. To what extent are positions on European integration the basis for the classification of political organisations as 1 The first public use of this term dates back to an article published by the Times on June 30 th , 1986 on the position of the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher regarding the development of the European Community (Harmsen and Spiering 2004). Hooghe and Marks (2007) also note that the word 'Eurosceptic' became more commonly used after 1992, first to describe the negative reactions of the German people after the EU asked Germany to revise its 'purity rules on beer', and more generally to underline the changes in public opinion on European integration after the signing of the Maastricht Treaty.
Populist politics and the politics of "populism": The radical right in Western Europe
Populism in Global Perspective: A Performative and Discursive Approach, 2020
Populism in Western Europe has been especially associated with the radical right. Chapter 8 focuses on the role the concept of populism should play in our understanding of populist radical right (PRR) parties and on the role the signifier "populism" should play in assessing reactions to these parties by the press, other political actors, and academia. The authors challenge the prominent tendency to attach major importance to the PRR's populism or even to reduce our understanding of the PRR as essentially or predominantly populist. Somewhat paradoxically, they argue that in order to better understand the nature, role and impact of populism in Western Europe, the concept of populism needs to play a less central part in analyses of populist parties. They also stress the need to reflect more on the performative effects of European discourses about populism-understood as a signifier-on the diagnoses of and strategies against the PRR.
Current Sociology, 2017
This article reviews three strands in the scholarship on the populist radical right (PRR). It covers both political parties and extra-parliamentary mobilization in contemporary European democracies. After definitional issues and case selection, the authors first discuss demand-side approaches to the fortunes of the PRR. Subsequently, supply-side approaches are assessed, namely political opportunity explanations and internal supply-side factors, referring to leadership, organization and ideological positioning. Third, research on the consequences of the emergence and rise of these parties and movements is examined: do they constitute a corrective or a threat to democracy? The authors discuss the growing literature on the impact on established parties' policies, the policies themselves, and citizens' behaviour. The review concludes with future directions for theorizing and research.
Understanding Populist Party Organisation. The Radical Right in Western Europe
Palgrave Studies in European Political Sociology addresses contemporary themes in the fi eld of Political Sociology. Over recent years, attention has turned increasingly to processes of Europeanization and globailzation and the social and political spaces that are opened by them. Th ese processes comprise both institutinoal-constitutional change and new dynamics of social transnationalism. Europeanization and globalization are also about changing power relations as they aff ect people's lives, social networks and forms of mobility. Th e Palgrave Studies in European Political Sociology series addresses linkages between regulation, institution building and the full range of societal repercussions at local, regional, national, European and global level, and will sharpen understanding of changing patterns of attitudes and behaviours of individuals and groups, the political use of new rights and opportunities by citizens, new confl ict lines and coalitions, societal interactions and networking, and shifting loyalties and solidarity within and across the European space. We welcome proposals from across the spectrum of Political Sociology including on dimensions of citizenship; political attitudes and values; political communication and public spheres; states, communities, governance structure and political institutions; forms of political participation; populism and the radical right; and democracy and democratization. Commas or similar between the names of the editors would be helpful to decipher the names. Editorial Board Carlo Ruzza
Causes and consequences of the rise of populist radical right parties and movements in Europe
Current sociology. La Sociologie contemporaine, 2017
This article reviews three strands in the scholarship on the populist radical right (PRR). It covers both political parties and extra-parliamentary mobilization in contemporary European democracies. After definitional issues and case selection, the authors first discuss demand-side approaches to the fortunes of the PRR. Subsequently, supply-side approaches are assessed, namely political opportunity explanations and internal supply-side factors, referring to leadership, organization and ideological positioning. Third, research on the consequences of the emergence and rise of these parties and movements is examined: do they constitute a corrective or a threat to democracy? The authors discuss the growing literature on the impact on established parties' policies, the policies themselves, and citizens' behaviour. The review concludes with future directions for theorizing and research.
Populist Radical Right Parties in Europe Redux
Political Studies Review, 2009
Having your book as the topic of a symposium is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, this is exactly why you write a book, i.e. to engage in a debate with other scholars on your ideas. Moreover, it is customary for reviewers to say at least some nice things about the book under review, and compliments are always welcome. On the other hand, and in the words of one of them, it is the 'duty' of reviewers to critique the book and therewith your ideas, which is at least somewhat painful.
(eds.) Left Radicalism and Populism in Europe
Routledge Series on Radical History and Politics, 2019
An edited volume on the relationship between the European radical left and populism across parties and movements, covering several historical episodes since the late 19th century.
50 Shades of Radicalism: An Analysis of Contemporary Radical Parties in Europe
“Political Radicalization in Europe: old and new threats”, 2015
The paper provides a comprehensive overview of European radical parties. The main aim of this paper is to examine whether there are common patterns regarding these parties, and to analyse the implications of this phenomenon. In order to achieve the above, the paper proceeds as follows: Firstly, the phenomenon of political radicalisation in contemporary Europe is explored. This leads to mapping the radical political landscape in Europe. Finally, the paper concludes with the analysis of the possible outcomes of radicalisation of European politics including the possible societal effects. By doing so the paper argues that a fresh theoretical approach to comprehend the phenomenon is necessary. ISSN 1641-4233 Bartoszewicz, M.G (2015). 50 shades of Radicalism: A comparative analysis of contemporary radical parties in Europe. Interdisciplinary Political and Cultural Journal special edition on “Political Radicalization in Europe: old and new threats”, Vol. 17, no. 1/2015, pp. 27-43.
An overview and assessment of current scholarship on radical right-wing populism in Western Europe
This paper reviews the scholarship on the populist radical right (PRR) in Western Europe. It focuses on three strands in this extensive literature. We first assess political opportunity explanations for the fortunes of these parties and movements. Second, we discuss internal supply-side approaches, referring to leadership, internal organization, and the (shifting) content of programmatic positions. Third, empirical research on the consequences of the emergence and rise of PRR parties and movements is discussed: In what respect do they constitute a corrective or threat to democracy? The review concludes with a discussion of the future direction that theorizing and research could take.