Varieties of Right-Wing Extremism in Europe

by Andrea Mammone (Editor), Emmanuel Godin (Editor), Brian Jenkins (Editor)

Beginning with an analysis of the complex relationship between fascism and the post-war extreme right, the book discusses both contemporary parties and the cultural and intellectual influences of the European New Right as well as patterns of socialization and mobilization. It then analyses the effects of a range of factors on the ideological development of right-wing extremism including anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, religious extremism and the approach towards Europe (and the European Union).The final sections investigate a number of activist manifestations of the extreme right from youth participation and the white power music scene to transnational rallies, the Internet and football hooliganism. In the process, the book questions the notion that the contemporary extreme right is either completely novel or fully populist in character. Drawing together a wide range of contributors, this is essential reading for all those with an interest in contemporary extremism and fascism. The book is a companion volume to Mapping the Extreme Right (Routledge, 2012) which has the same editors.

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2012

Reviews

[AC]

A collection of academic papers on Postwar Neofascism, published in early 2013, by a collection of anti-fascist scholars. Part I (with Mammone's Introduction) -- about 40% of the book -- is outstanding and a must-read. It sets out clearly and without jargon the underlying premises and positions that are linking the new pan-europeanist Extreme Right (with a heavy debt to Alain de Benoist's Nouvelle Droite) with other related groups. As such, it is highly relevant for understanding the ideological foundations common to the anti-EU (Brexit/UKIP), anti-immigrant movements in Western Europe - FN (Marine Le Pen), AfD, FPÖ and related groups -- and is relevant also to certain elements in Trumpist populism.

Parts II and III (dealing with particular parties, or with internet, music, and football hooliganism, etc.) did not interest me and I only skimmed a couple of the essays -- one of the problems is that so much has changed since mid-2012 that they are not fully up-to-date. I am referring to the advent of Marine Le Pen, Frauke Petry, UKIP, Brexit, and FPÖ.

But the first 4-5 papers are well worth the price of admission (if you kindle-rent or borrow the book -- These Routledge books are way overpriced). The five-stars is for Part I alone.