Abstract
The past 30 years have witnessed a radical shift in European politics, as new far-right wing parties have entered national parliaments. Driven by discontent, fear and the notion of cultural struggle, they have gradually come to twist the political conversation around their core issues. For many far-right parties, cultural heritage is one such issue. While this ought to put them on the radar of scholars studying heritage politics, the topic of far-right heritage policy remains largely unexplored. This article seeks to ignite this field of enquiry by taking a closer look at what far-right heritage policies actually look like. Focus is set on three Scandinavian far-right parties with seats in national parliaments: the Danish People’s Party, the Progress Party in Norway and the Sweden Democrats. By examining the notion of heritage put forth in their party manifestos and the heritage priorities expressed in their parliamentary budget proposals, we consider the weight of their rhetoric.
Highlights
Over the last three decades a new wave of far-right wing parties has gradually changed the political landscape in Europe
While media exposes us to these political shifts on daily basis, few heritage scholars have approached the contentious topic of contemporary far-right heritage policy
Exploratory in nature, this article seeks to address a simple yet crucial question: What do far-right heritage policies look like in practice? To find out, we scrutinize the cultural policies of three Scandinavian far-right parties with seats in national parliaments: the Danish People’s Party (Dansk Folkeparti), The Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) in Norway, and the Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna)
Summary
Inspecting the lists of sites granted additional funds in budget agreements involving heritage, and checking them against DPP strategy papers, public statements and accepted budgets (table 4), revealed that the party has successfully promoted: maritime heritage, stately heritage and living history museums, ‘old Danish heritage’, imperial heritage, and Cold War history These concrete proposals are consistent with the concept of heritage and the priorities outlined in their manifesto, promoting sites linked to a) national origin narratives, such as the Viking Age Royal Jelling (Jensen, 2009b), b) power (war, monarchy and empire) and c) idealized values and ways of live (Christianity, democracy, seafaring and country life). While further strengthened by the reorganisation of the governing structures of Norway (NWP, 2015-2016), the bipartisan leitmotif continues: the restructuring was first put forward in the previous government’s last White Paper on heritage (NWP, 2012–2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
