Description
Book SynopsisOnce a marginal political coalition, the French National Front has become the most high-profile far-right organisation in Europe. This book analyses the Front's history, from its creation in 1972 and outcast status in the early 1980s to its achievement of broad-based support and show of political strength in the 1997 elections.
Trade Review“[T]he most up-to-date and comprehensive study [of the French National Front] in English.” - Robert Tombs,
Times Literary Supplement“[A] fine book on an important and controversial topic.” - Paul Seaton,
Perspectives on Political Science“DeClair offers a detailed survey of the Front’s electoral successes and the narrative account in the two chapters dealing with this process is comprehensive and informative. The interviews with party representatives, and their responses to DeClair’s questionnaires, flesh out the picture of the Front’s development and give an authentic feel to the descriptions of how the growth of the party took shape.” - Jim Wolfreys,
Contemporary Politics“[A]n informative and intriguing treatment of elite opinion within the party, drawing heavily upon original interviews. The broad endorsement of neoliberalism through most of the Front’s formative period is particularly well rendered, as is the switch to more nationalistic economics in this decade. . . . [A] highly useful book. . . .” - Bruce Morrison,
Governance“A thorough and engaging study of the development of France’s Front National . . . . Based upon his commendable body of evidence, DeClair produces an eminently readable survey of the Front National’s history, leaders and future prospects.” - William M. Downs,
Nationalism and Ethnic Politics“
Politics on the Fringe is simply the best book on the French National Front available in the English language. Intelligent, original, thoughtful, careful, and well-written, it is a marvelous mixture of primary and secondary research. Its insights into the minds and motives of the National Front and its supporters will undoubtedly serve as the foundation for our understanding of this important far right group for years to come.”—Anthony Messina, Tufts University
“The specter of right-wing populism presents a major challenge to the party systems of western Europe. By taking an empirically-based, ideologically-neutral approach to a very emotional subject,
Politics on the Fringe offers a deeper understanding of the National Front and a greater insight into its internal organizational behavior.”—Vincent E. McHale, Case Western Reserve University
“[A] fine book on an important and controversial topic.” -- Paul Seaton * Perspectives on Political Science *
“[A]n informative and intriguing treatment of elite opinion within the party, drawing heavily upon original interviews. The broad endorsement of neoliberalism through most of the Front’s formative period is particularly well rendered, as is the switch to more nationalistic economics in this decade. . . . [A] highly useful book. . . .” -- Bruce Morrison * Governance *
“[T]he most up-to-date and comprehensive study [of the French National Front] in English.” -- Robert Tombs * TLS *
“A thorough and engaging study of the development of France’s Front National . . . . Based upon his commendable body of evidence, DeClair produces an eminently readable survey of the Front National’s history, leaders and future prospects.” -- William M. Downs * Nationalism and Ethnic Politics *
“DeClair offers a detailed survey of the Front’s electoral successes and the narrative account in the two chapters dealing with this process is comprehensive and informative. The interviews with party representatives, and their responses to DeClair’s questionnaires, flesh out the picture of the Front’s development and give an authentic feel to the descriptions of how the growth of the party took shape.” -- Jim Wolfreys * Contemporary Politics *
Table of ContentsList of Figures
List of Tables
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The French Far Right: The Legacy of History
2. The Far Right Reappears: The Creation of the National Front
3. Initial Success: Election Victories in 1984 and 1986
4. Legislative Losses and Beyond
5. The Political Agenda of the National Front
6. The Leadership and Organization of the National Front
7. Voting for the National Front
8. The Far Right in Comparative Perspective
Conclusion
Afterword
Appendix 1. Elected and Party Positions Held by Respondents in 1988
Appendix 2. Evolution of the National Front's Political Bureau
Notes
Bibiliography
Index
