Gender and Far Right Politics in Europe

This book is a systematic consideration of the link between the extreme right and the discourse about developments in regard to gender issues within different national states. The contributors analyze right-wing extremist tendencies in Europe under the specific perspective on gender. The volume brings together the few existing findings concerning the quantitative dimension of activities carried out by men and women in different countries, and illuminates and juxtaposes gender ratios along with the role of women in right-wing extremism. Along with the gender-specific access to right-wing groups, the chapters look at networks, organizational forms, specific strategies of female right-wing extremists, their ideologies (especially regarding femininity and masculinity), hetero normativity, discourses on sexuality, and preventive and counter-strategies. The book will be of use to students and scholars interested in gender and politics, European politics, and political extremism.

• Right-wing extremism
• extreme right
• Germany
• France
• Hungary
• Austria
• Sweden
• Spain
• Finland
• Great Britain
• Greece
• USA
• Poland
• media discourse
• antifeminism
• anti-gender movement
• gender stereotypes
• masculinities
• social work / youth work
• nationalism

“A book for scholars and activists, for everyone who is critically interested in the linkage of nationalist and racist movements on the one hand and gender issues on the other hand. The impressive collection of analysis from all over Europe shows interesting variations of such intersection. In times of re-arising nationalisms and the simultaneousness of advanced standards of women’s emancipation and anti-feminist backlash, the book tremendously helps to be aware of common and differing gender politics within Europe’s far right.” (Prof. Ursula Birsl, Philips-University, Germany)

“For far too long, the relationship between gender and today's extreme right has been neglected. Replete with examples drawn from across Europe, this is an impressive work. Important, timely and deeply thought-provoking, this book is long overdue.” (Professor Nigel Copsey, Teesside University, UK)

“This timely volume sheds light on a largely overlooked, yet critical, aspect of the extreme right in Europe today: gender. The essays cover all areas and many countries in Europe. These well-researched chapters make it abundantly clear the extreme right skillfully employs gendered discourses and appeals as part of their political arsenal. This book is essential reading for those who wish to understand and/or oppose these extreme right-wing movements in contemporary Europe.” (Professor Margaret Power, Illinois Tech, USA)

• Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt, Germany

  Michaela Köttig

• Technische Hochschule Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany

  Renate Bitzan

• Central European University, Budapest, Hungary

  Andrea Petö

Michaela Köttig is Professor of Communication and Conflict Resolution at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Her research interests currently focus on biographies and family histories.

Renate Bitzan is Professor of Social Sciences at the Technische Hochschule Nürnberg, Germany. She researches and teaches gender and diversity.

Andrea Pető is Professor at the Department of Gender Studies at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, and is a Hungarian Academy of Sciences Doctor of Science.