Accounting for varying electoral fortunes

Abstract

This chapter establishes the extent to which the four sets of explanations of electoral fortunes may account for the performance of right-wing extremist parties in Western Europe. It is suggested that the type of ideology right-wing extremist parties embrace, the organization and leadership of the parties, and the different patterns of party competition at work in the various political systems under investigation are all likely to be important factors in an overall explanation for the variation in the right-wing extremist party vote. Party ideology is also significant in an overall explanation for the variation in the right-wing extremist party vote. The electoral laws governing access to the ballot, the broadcast media and state subventions play no role in an overall account of the uneven electoral fortunes of the West European parties of the extreme right. A substantial factor in the success of extreme right-wing parties is beyond the influence of established politics.