A wave of migration, coupled with a dramatic increase in the exchange of ideas, results in a surge of discrimination and authoritarianism. One might assume that Jean-Yves Camus and Nicolas Lebourg are speaking of modern events in the opening pages of Far-Right Politics in Europe rather than a historical period that began in the 1840s. Known as the “first globalization,” this period birthed the foundation for much of today's European far right.
Far-Right Politics provides a precision and historical context often lacking in today's heated discourse, which tends to either conflate populism, fascism, and the far right, or to reduce the terms to simple pejoratives, devoid of ideology and context. Starting in the late eighteenth century, the authors trace the progression of Europe's political parties as they relate to themes such as post-fascism, white power, and religious fundamentalism; and they dissect the belief structures of political parties and movements, precisely placing theories and policies on the left-right continuum. Though dense with history, the book remains accessible, providing a digestible survey of the formation and current state of Europe's far right. Indeed, it often reads like a who's who of fringe movements, highlighting important connections between leaders and communities.
While the bulk of Far-Right Politics is devoted to history rather than analysis, consistent themes emerge. The authors trace movements and ideologies as they spread through time and space, fracturing and cleaving as figureheads refine their beliefs. Some groups shrink as they narrow the bounds of acceptable identity; others expand as they concede ideological purity in favor of mainstream acceptance. Taken together, the convoluted lineages of the far right are indicative of the inherently divisive nature of exclusionary ideology. The book emphasizes the importance of propaganda, and the authors carefully note those groups whose ownership of media outlets has allowed for the spread of ideas across borders and even oceans. The role of culture is also addressed at length. While established, politically integrated parties such as France's Front National have the ability to draw from relatively diverse demographics by endorsing a set of policies, other groups, especially those associated with the white power movement, appeal to youth by creating an alternative lifestyle, complete with tailored music and fanzines.
The true strength of Far-Right Politics is that it eschews alarmism in favor of detailed and measured reporting. Careful to avoid generalization, Camus and Lebourg assess the viability of the far right country-by-country. Though the authors conclude that these movements are likely to continue growing in Europe, they also note the low levels of support they receive during elections as well as the institutional and demographic obstacles they face. Though some groups have succeeded in gaining a seat at the political table, they have done so only by shedding their most extreme beliefs. Overall, Far-Right Politics succeeds in reminding readers of the futility of oversimplification. Despite a few core characteristics, individual far-right movements are distinct in their priorities, and group aims are uniquely reflective of geography and historical memory.
As the world is tested once again by mass migration and populist backlash, Far-Right Politics in Europe serves as an excellent primer for making sense of the current landscape of Europe's far right.
