Radical Right-Wing Populist Parties in Western Europe - Into the Mainstream?

Radical right-wing populist parties, such as Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom, Marine Le Pen’s National Front or Nigel Farage’s UKIP, are becoming increasingly influential in Western European democracies. Their electoral support is growing, their impact on policy-making is substantial, and in recent years several radical right-wing populist parties have assumed office or supported minority governments. Are these developments the cause and/or consequence of the mainstreaming of radical right-wing populist parties? Have radical right-wing populist parties expanded their issue profiles, moderated their policy positions, toned down their anti-establishment rhetoric and shed their extreme right reputations to attract more voters and/or become coalition partners? This timely book answers these questions on the basis of both comparative research and a wide range of case studies, covering Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Analysing the extent to which radical right-wing populist parties have become part of mainstream politics, as well as the factors and conditions which facilitate this trend, this book is essential reading for students and scholars working in European politics, in addition to anyone interested in party politics and current affairs more generally.

1. Introduction. Inclusion and mainstreaming: Radical right-wing populist parties in the new millennium Tjitske Akkerman, Sarah L. de Lange and Matthijs Rooduijn Part I. Comparative analyses 2. Into the mainstream? A comparative analysis of the programmatic profiles of radical right-wing populist parties in Western Europe over time Tjitske Akkerman, Sarah L. de Lange and Matthijs Rooduijn 3. Closing the gap? A comparison of voters for radical right-wing populist parties and mainstream parties over time Matthijs Rooduijn Part II. Case-studies 4. The mainstreaming of the Austrian Freedom Party: The more things change… Reinhard Heinisch and Kristina Hauser 5. The Danish People’s Party: Combining cooperation and radical positions Flemming Juul Christiansen 6. From the mainstream to the margin? The radicalisation of the True Finns Ann-Cathrine Jungar 7. The Party for Freedom: Balancing between mission, votes and office Tjitske Akkerman 8. The taming of the shrew. How the Progress Party (almost) became part of the mainstream Anders Ravik Jupskås 9. Staying away from the mainstream. The case of the Swiss People’s Party Oscar Mazzoleni 10. It is still a long way from Madou Square to Law Street. The evolution of the Flemish Bloc. Paul Lucardie, Tjitske Akkerman and Teun Pauwels 11. A new course for the French radical right? The Front National and ‘de-demonisation’ Gilles Ivaldi 12. The UK Independence Party: The dimensions of mainstreaming Simon Usherwood 13. Conclusions Tjitske Akkerman 14. Appendix 1 15. Appendix 2