NCJ Number
191742
Journal
Intelligence Report Issue: 103 Dated: Fall 2001 Pages: 38-49
Editor(s)
Mark Potok
Date Published
2001
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article describes the rise of right-wing extremist parties in Europe.
Abstract
The demise of Soviet-bloc Communism provided opportunities for a spectrum of far-right organizations, which range from violent, neo-Nazi youth groups and underground terrorists to sizeable electoral movements. The rise of the Austrian Freedom Party, Italy’s National Alliance, the French National Front, Vlaams Blok in Belgium, and other right-wing extremist parties has coincided with a sharp increase in hate crimes against ethnic minorities throughout Europe. A racial assault occurs once every three minutes in Western Europe. The huge economic and demographic changes since the end of the Cold War, the introduction of the “euro” (the new single currency), a mass migration from Eastern to Western Europe, and the shrinking of ideological distance between the mainstream parties have all contributed to the growth of the far right. In Western Europe today, there are 50 million poor, 18 million without jobs, and three million homeless. Neofascist demagogues have successfully tapped into widespread uncertainties by scapegoating foreigners and denouncing economic globalization. The more successful of the neofascist organizations have made changes designed to make them look like radical right-wing democratic parties and have softened their image. Radical right-wing populism and fascist manifestations, which vary from country to country, thrive in situations where social injustice is prevalent. Today’s right-wing extremist movements in Europe have emerged under a unique set of circumstances. Converging social, economic, and political trends suggest that increasing numbers of Europeans will be vulnerable to the appeals of right-wing demagogues.