Description
Book SynopsisThe author analyses the reasons behind the electoral success of European right-wing populist parties. Using the Austrian Freedom Party under Jörg Haider as a case study and with a richness of primary material, he argues that their success is only partly caused by «racism». It is also, and more prominently, the result of populism – i.e. a critique of the «elite». These parties and their voters should not, then, be labelled as arrogant insiders attacking downtrodden outsiders like immigrants, workers, and minorities. Instead, the right-wingers are more justly portrayed as outsiders and underdogs, raising their anger and frustration against the insiders: the «media elite» and the «leftists and the artists».
Table of ContentsContents: The study of right-wing extremism – The importance of the party leader – Jörg Haider’s writings – Two different forms of populism – Right wing populism – Racism – Anti-democratic ideas and fascism – Rhetoric and provocation – The EU sanctions against Austria – Public polls – How different are FPÖ voters? – Elitism.
