The end of the world is always better in theory: The strained relationship between populist radical right parties and the state-of-crisis narrative

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract

Populist radical right (PRR) parties depend on the idea of a “corrupt elite” when framing the challenges ahead and communicating these to voters. Previous studies highlight the importance of immigration and the role various ‘disaster narratives’ play for the (continued) success of the PRR. These discourses allude to a constant state of crisis the nation is in after its long-term mismanagement by the corrupt mainstream elite. The PRR portrays itself as the saviour therefore - of the nation, of the (welfare) state, and of the people. Yet the idea - or at least the potential – of a crisis usually works better for the PRR than an actual crisis. A recent example is its haphazard response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and the confused application of traditional disaster narratives regarding asylum migration and EU/NATO membership. The chapter investigates the above issues, focussing on the deviant cases of Finland and Sweden, and their respective PRR parties - the Finns Party (Perussuomalaiset - PS) and the Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna - SD).
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPolitical Communication and Performative Leadership
Subtitle of host publicationPopulism in International Politics
EditorsCorina Lacatus, Georg Lofflman, Gustav Meibauer
Place of PublicationBasingstoke
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
Chapter9
Pages163-177
Number of pages15
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9783031416408
ISBN (Print)9783031416392, 9783031416422
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Nov 2023

Publication series

NameThe Palgrave Macmillan Series in International Political Communication
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
ISSN (Print)2945-6118
ISSN (Electronic)2945-6126

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • crisis narratives
  • immigration
  • True Finns
  • Sweden Democrats
  • NATO membership
  • European Union

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