Back to the future, recovering the past: a critical discourse analysis of the terms ‘democracy’ and ‘direct democracy’ in the speeches of the Rassemblement National and the Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs

Abstract

ABSTRACT In France, the Rassemblement National and, in Austria, the Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs aim to ‘recover’, ‘restore’ or ‘protect’ democracy. In this article, I will study their use of the term ‘democracy’ by focusing on its temporal dimension. Their discourse tells a story, that of a glorious past which should be revived. Adopting a critical discourse analysis approach, I will answer the following questions: what kind of temporality is conveyed by the term ‘democracy’?, and, if ‘democracy’ is perceived as a ‘lost world’, then what vision do those politicians who support the ideology of the two political parties have of tomorrow’s ‘democracy’? I would maintain that whilst right-wing populist parties present themselves as agents of a democratic renewal, their vision of ‘democracy’ remains traditional, i.e. essentially representative and vertical. The term ‘direct democracy’ is limited to particular subjects linked to the nativist ideology of right-wing populist parties (the EU, immigration, international agreements) and these parties are critical of electoral reforms or new forms of participation.