The internationalism of the new far-right {europe}

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http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/1229801-internationalism-new-far-right

An unusual study, entitled “The new face of digital populism,” was published in early November by the think tank Demos, which asked 10,000 far right militants across Europe to explain how they viewed the development of society.

In constructing an analysis of the “new right” based on the reasoning of its members, Demos met with these activists in the environment where they are most at home, that is to say on social networks: most of their activity is on-line, although, from time to time, they do vote, demonstrate and display their commitment by other means.

The movement ranges from the troublemakers in the English Defence League to established political leaders, like Geert Wilders in the Netherlands and Jimmie Åkesson in Sweden.


Disappearance of national identity

Its members, who have no confidence in politicians or in the judicial system, go to the polls with hardly any conviction that their votes will make any difference. Most of them are men – only a quarter of these militants are women – and most of them are young (two thirds of far-right netizens are aged under 30).

[pampango]

1. "European far-right ... several trends ... threatened by European integration and globalisation."

"Its members, who have no confidence in politicians or in the judicial system, go to the polls with hardly any conviction that their votes will make any difference. Most of them are men – only a quarter of these militants are women – and most of them are young (two thirds of far-right netizens are aged under 30).

It is a cross-border digital movement, which paradoxically campaigns for the restoration of borders, and an international organisation made up of individuals that do not like foreigners.

The European far-right encompasses several trends and movements, and we should be reluctant to generalise. But it is clear that large sections of the population in Europe are worried about the disappearance of their national identity, which they consider to be threatened by European integration and globalisation.

Given that Europe has already experienced war and genocide, it should be immune to the lure of the nationalist road. However, it seems that this is not the case."