Who are the far right? Far-right parties and groups. Far Right and Far Left - What's the Difference?

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

The answer to the question of who the ultra-right is usually sounds like this: they are representatives of political movements whose views are completely opposite to communist ideology. However, this explanation seems to be somewhat simplified and not detailed enough. There is a fairly wide range of ultra-right groups. Their common characteristic is the recognition of social inequality and discrimination as acceptable official public policy.

Definition

In order to form an objective idea of who the ultra-right are, it should be taken into account that their ideology includes some aspects of authoritarianism, anti-communism and nativism, but is not limited to this. Adherents of these political currents often evoke infamous claims about the superiority of one group of people over all others.

The radical right has historically supported the concept of vesting exclusive powers and privileges in a small number of select individuals. Such a structure of societycalled elitism. This concept is rooted in the works of the famous philosopher Machiavelli, dedicated to the art of government. From the point of view of a medieval thinker, the fate of the country depends only on the wisdom of the political elite, and the people are just a passive mass. This theory naturally leads to the justification and legalization of social discrimination. Machiavelli's ideas were further developed in the twentieth century, becoming part of the fascist system of views on the optimal structure of society.

Nativism

Without an explanation of this political concept, it is impossible to give an exhaustive answer to the question of who the ultra-right is. Nativism is a movement in defense of the interests of the indigenous inhabitants of a territory. This political stance is often interpreted as hostility towards immigrants. Supporters of this ideology consider the term "nativism" negative and prefer to call their views patriotism. Their protests against immigration are based on the belief in the destructive influence of immigrants on existing cultural, social and religious values. Nativists believe that representatives of other ethnic groups, in principle, cannot be assimilated, since the traditions that have developed in society are alien to them.

The difference between the far right and the fascists

The most tragic example of discrimination in human history was the genocide. Nazi ideas about the need to get rid of certain peoples and social groups led to their massivephysical extermination. Charles Grant, director of the UK's Center for European Reform, has said there are important differences between far-right parties and fascism. In his opinion, not all such political movements are inherently radical and extremist. An example is the French National Front. Another proof that there is a significant difference is the fact that many far-right ideological parties are now preaching economic concepts that are usually characteristic of left-wing socialists. They advocate protectionism, nationalization and anti-globalism.

The so-called horseshoe theory, created by the French writer Jean-Pierre Fay, claims that the opposite ends of the political field are very similar to each other. Trying to determine what is the difference between the ultra-right and the ultra-left, the author came to the conclusion that they are not antagonists in the full sense of the word. Moving away from the political center, representatives of the radical left and right converge like the ends of a horseshoe and reveal many common characteristics.

History

German researcher Klaus von Beime identifies three phases in the development of right-wing parties in Western Europe after the end of World War II. In the first decade after the defeat of Nazism, they turned into political marginals. The crimes of the Third Reich completely discredited the right-wing ideology. During this historical period, the influence of adherents of these political views was equal to zero and theirthe main goal was survival.

From the mid-50s to the end of the 70s of the last century, protest moods intensified sharply in Western Europe. Their reason was the growing distrust of the population in relation to state power. Voters opposed themselves to the current government and were ready to vote for any opposition movement. During this period, charismatic leaders appeared in the right-wing parties, who were able, to a certain extent, to use the protest moods in society in their own interests. Since the 80s of the last century, the influx of a large number of immigrants to Western European countries has caused constant discontent of some groups of the population. These citizens have contributed to the resurgence of right-wing parties by giving them regular votes in elections.

Reasons for community support

There are many theories explaining why such political movements enjoy the sympathy of the population. The most popular of them is based on a study of the reasons for Adolf Hitler's coming to power in Germany. It is called the theory of social decay. According to this doctrine, the destruction of the traditional structure of society and the decrease in the role of religion lead people to lose their identity and lower their self-esteem. During such historical periods, many become receptive to the rhetoric of nationalist political movements, as simple and aggressive ethnocentric ideas help them regain a sense of belonging to a group. In other words, growthalienation and isolation in society becomes fertile ground for the flourishing of right-wing parties.

It is worth noting that the theory of social decay has been repeatedly criticized and questioned. Her opponents point to the fact that the modern ultra-right in the US and Western Europe put forward opposition to immigration as the main point of their political program. They win votes by focusing on long-standing social tensions rather than psychological issues such as loss of identity and sense of belonging to a group.

Terrorism

Throughout history, both left and right political movements have resorted to violent methods. Terrorist acts committed by representatives of radical nationalist and ethnocentric groups are sporadic and do not give serious reasons to believe in the existence of international cooperation of extremist organizations of this type. The violent far-right ranks are traditionally made up of football hooligans and so-called skinheads, a UK-originated subculture based on white supremacy.

In Germany

In 2013, a Eurosceptic faction was formed in the Christian Democratic Union. This political group found support among the intellectual elite: economists, journalists, lawyers and businessmen. The new party was called "Alternative for Germany". Its members criticize the currentgovernment for the neglect of national interests for the sake of the European Union and are in favor of limiting immigration. According to the results of voting in the elections to the Bundestag in 2017, the "Alternative for Germany" ranked third in terms of the number of deputies.

In France

The National Front was founded in 1972 by Jean-Marie Le Pen. For a long time it was considered the most right-wing political movement in France. The National Front calls for a return to traditional values. The party's program contains items demanding an end to immigration from Muslim countries, restrictions on abortion, reinstatement of the death pen alty, and withdrawal from NATO. The success of the National Front in parliamentary elections has remained rather modest for several decades. The party currently holds 8 seats out of 577. During the tense presidential elections in 2017, Marine Le Pen, the daughter of the founder of the National Front, was in serious competition with Emmanuel Macron, who won by a narrow margin. Experts note that in France the positions of the left and right on some issues are gradually converging. Le Pen's party in economic views is becoming similar to the socialist.

In the UK

The most pronounced right-wing movement in the United Kingdom, as in France, is called the "Front National". This party was formed as a result of the merger of several small radicalpolitical organizations. Their main constituency was the working class, who faced competition from immigrants in the labor market. The "National Front" throughout the history of its existence has not received a single deputy mandate in the British Parliament. Opponents openly call it a neo-fascist party. Supporters of this political movement promote racial segregation, support anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and deny the Holocaust. They advocate the abandonment of liberal democracy and the deportation from the United Kingdom of all immigrants whose skin color is not white. Gradually, the British "National Front" fell into decline and is now a small group with almost no political influence.

In the United States

The oldest and most legendary ultra-right organization in the US is called the Ku Klux Klan. It was founded by opponents of the abolition of slavery after the end of the American Civil War. The main enemies of a deeply conspiratorial society were representatives of the Negroid race. In the early years of the organization, members of the Ku Klux Klan committed such a large number of murders and various acts of violence that the US government was forced to resort to the use of the army to suppress their activities. Subsequently, the radical secret society fell into decline, but was revived twice: at the beginning of the twentieth century and after the Second World War. Today, members of the Ku Klux Klancall themselves small groups of racists in the southern states.

In Japan

Who are the ultra-right in the Land of the Rising Sun, whose population is ethnically homogeneous? At the heart of their ideology are the dreams of restoring Imperial Japan and the fight against communism. Some radical parties maintain close relationships with crime syndicates known as the Yakuza. The Japanese far right is actively campaigning and organizing street protests.