Political Conflict in the Age of Social Fragmentation

Abstract

The emergence and rise of radical right-wing populist parties in the 1980s has been one of the most significant political events in the recent history of West European politics. Within a relatively short span of time, radical right-wing populist parties have consolidated substantial electoral gains and established themselves in the political system of a number of West European democracies. In a few instances they have become the dominant force in major cities (the Vlaams Blok in Antwerp) or whole regions (the Lega Nord in Northern Italy). Even if the radical Right has generally been shunned by the political establishment, they have nevertheless not been without influence on some of the policies advanced by the traditional parties (the most significant instance has been the French center-right’s adoption of a number of the Front National’s demands with regard to immigration after the 1993 parliamentary election).