The radical right and the radical left in contemporary Europe: two min–max definitions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Radical parties, both to the right and to the left, have recently earned victories in a range of European democracies. Previous efforts seeking to understand European radicalism in general are, however, relatively rare. Using a min–max approach, this review article examines existing scholarship on the ideologies of the radical right and radical left party families in contemporary Europe. Its contribution is twofold. First, it synthesizes our knowledge of the core elements of radical right and radical left ideologies. Second, and more importantly, it delineates the main ideological differences and similarities between the two radical families.