New Books in Western European Studies Cas Mudde, "The Far Right Today" (Polity, 2019)
Mar 15, 2021
In this lively discussion, Cas Mudde, a leading scholar on extremism and populism, dives into his book, shedding light on the fourth wave of radical right politics, exemplified by figures like Donald Trump and Jean-Marie Le Pen. He dissects the normalization of far-right ideologies in major democracies like India, the U.S., and Brazil, which poses challenges for liberal democracies. Mudde elaborates on the impact of recent events like Brexit, the need for effective public engagement, and the complexities of political identities in today’s shifting landscape.
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Defining Far Right and Populism
- The far right includes extreme right groups who reject democracy and radical right groups who challenge parts of liberal democracy.
- Populism is mostly linked to the radical right, focusing on 'the pure people' versus 'the corrupt elite'.
Far Right's Wide Heterogeneity
- The fourth wave far right is very heterogeneous, ranging from neo-Nazi parties to large mainstream parties.
- They vary widely in age, size, and influence, complicating how society responds to them.
Mainstreaming of Far Right Politics
- Far right mainstreaming means their ideas and actors are accepted in mainstream politics.
- Mainstream parties often adopt far right issues and frames, moving political discourse rightward.
