Right-wing populist education policy in a social democratic welfare state context

Abstract

ABSTRACT The article analyses the education ideologies and policies of two Danish right-wing populist political parties, the Danish People’s Party and the New Right Party. The two parties differ in their political trajectories and profiles, but both represent a right-wing populism emphasizing the opposition between the people on the one hand and the elite and its alliance with foreigners on the other. In a national context with a strong welfare state tradition, right-wing populism has gained considerable influence on other political parties including the Social Democrats. In mapping the education policy of the two parties, the article draws on partisan political manifesto texts prepared for the 2019 general election, on studies of voter attitudes in that election and on position taking of parties in parliamentary work. It is concluded that the education policies of the two parties focus mainly on the content of education, emphasizing national and Christian values and presenting foreigners and immigrants, especially from predominantly Muslim countries, as threats. Education does not feature strongly in the work of these parties, but their views still have an impact. The example of the Danish People’s Party shows this; it has secured parliamentary majority for Liberal-Conservative governments and influenced their education policies.