The Youngsters’ Participation in Extreme Right Political Parties in Greece: the Case of Students – Supporters of “Chrisi Avgi”

Abstract

The present paper is concerned with the standpoints related to the current economic and values crisis and which are articulated by the “Chrisi Avgi” supporters, also being teaching faculties’ students. The research was carried out during a period of intense political mobility, because of the double elections in Greece, in May and June 2012. The specific age group was selected due to their future contribution, as educators, to the Greek educational system. Reference is made to the future teachers’ perception of education and their role in schools in association with their choice to support the extreme right party. The research methodology was implemented in the form of repetitive semi-constructed conversations and in three marked determinant phases in which the students’ initial reluctance to express themselves was observed while, after the establishment of a more confident atmosphere, they were apparently willing to actively participate in the research. The outcome focuses on the consideration about the alteration of both the educational system structure and curricula as well as on the teacher’s dynamics to form “the Greek Character” ideal within a downgraded society.