What’s Behind the Rise of Far Right Politics in Europe | Daphne Halikiopoulou | TED

Overview

Political researcher Daphne Halikiopoulou explores the rise of far-right politics in Europe, challenging the common narrative that immigration and cultural concerns are the sole drivers. She highlights how far-right parties strategically rebrand themselves to appeal to broader voter bases by exploiting economic insecurities, distrust in institutions, and resistance to environmental policies.

Notable Quotes

- The problem is not just that these parties are getting a lot of votes. The problem is that many of these parties are now in government. – Daphne Halikiopoulou

- Other parties copying the far right on immigration are only making this problem worse. They are normalizing the far right and making it bigger. – Daphne Halikiopoulou

- Far-right parties are no longer saying, 'I’m extreme.' Instead, they claim to exclude only those who don’t espouse liberal democratic values, cleverly masking their extremism. – Daphne Halikiopoulou

🗳️ The Rise of Far-Right Politics in Europe

- Far-right parties are no longer fringe movements; they are gaining significant power, with some entering government in countries like Italy and Hungary.

- These parties are also strong contenders in upcoming elections across Europe, including France.

- The rise of the far right is often attributed to immigration and cultural concerns, but Halikiopoulou argues this is an oversimplification.

📊 Beyond Immigration: The Real Drivers of Far-Right Support

- Data shows that one-third of far-right voters in Europe do not cite immigration as a concern.

- Economic insecurities play a significant role, with many voters believing that immigrants threaten jobs, social services, and access to resources.

- Other key voter groups include:

- Materialists: Concerned about economic competition from immigrants.

- Distrustful voters: Disillusioned with political and social institutions.

- Anti-environmentalists: Oppose policies they perceive as harmful to their livelihoods, particularly in rural areas.

🎭 The Rebranding of Far-Right Ideology

- Far-right parties are adopting civic nationalist narratives, presenting themselves as defenders of liberal democratic values.

- Campaigns like Germany’s AfD emphasize rejecting intolerant ideas rather than openly racist rhetoric, making these parties appear more moderate.

- This strategy removes the stigma of extremism, broadening their appeal to voters who might otherwise reject far-right ideologies.

🔄 The Role of Mainstream Parties

- Mainstream parties often mimic far-right rhetoric on immigration, inadvertently legitimizing and amplifying far-right narratives.

- This approach fails to address the broader insecurities driving far-right support and instead normalizes their ideology.

💡 The Power of Alternative Narratives

- Halikiopoulou emphasizes that political parties have the agency to counter the far right by crafting compelling, positive narratives.

- Rather than adopting far-right rhetoric, parties should focus on exposing the extremism of these groups and promoting the benefits of immigration and inclusive policies.

- By addressing economic insecurities and rebuilding trust in institutions, mainstream parties can offer a viable alternative to far-right populism.