JRA2321H1S L0101
Undergraduate Course Code: JRA401H1S L0101
Topics in Comparative Politics V
The Populist/Radical/Extreme Right in Western Europe
Themes
Over the last 30 years or so, parties of the "New", "Radical", "Extreme", "Populist" or "Anti-Immigration" Right have become a permanent feature of political life in most West European countries. At the same time, support for these (slightly dubious) parties is highly volatile and conditional on circumstances beyond the control of party leaders. This seminar starts with an overview of theories of contemporary right-wing extremist success. Next, we will analyse the political developments and the recent situation in several West European countries. Finally, we will look at various attempts to model right-wing extremist support in comparative perspective.
Texts
Akkerman, Tjitske, de Lange, Sarah & Rooduijn, Matthijs (Eds. 2016), Radical Right-Wing Populist Parties in Western Europe; Kitschelt, Herbert (1995), The Radical Right in Western Europe; Mudde, Cas (2007), Populist Radical Right Parties in Europe.
Note: These books serve mostly as background reading. Additional week-to-week readings will be short articles/chapters
Format and Requirements
class participation, essay