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(Far)-Right into the mainstream?: The normalization of extreme ideas in local and transnational perspectives

Contentious Politics
Extremism
Media
Social Media
Political Activism
Political Cultures
P003
Katherine Kondor
Universitetet i Oslo
Greta Sophie Jasser
Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Katherine Kondor
Universitetet i Oslo

Abstract

Far-right parties have increasing electoral success, and far-right movements have garnered support over the past decades across Europe and beyond. Long before electoral success becomes apparent, however, far-right actors are actively working on normalizing and mainstreaming formerly obscure ideological positions. Activities aiming towards "shifting the Overton-Window" or "gaining cultural hegemony" to lay the cultural foundation for implementing far-right political ideas, are popular within the right, at least since the consolidation of the European New Right in the 1960s. Successful mainstreaming efforts cannot solely be attributed to far-right agitation as they encompass broader societal developments, yet examining the drivers, as well as the ways in which the groups and parties work towards normalization is crucial to identify possible shifts towards the (far)right in political systems. Far-right mainstreaming efforts tap into long-held beliefs in large parts of society, and attempt to mobilize xenophobic and authoritarian tendencies. This panel explores the phenomenon of normalization of far right beliefs in local perspectives, like in Hungary, Australia, and Canada, while also looking to more transnational areas like video gaming and social media. Papers in this panel offer a mix of perspectives, both from those on the far right seeking to normalize and from the public at risk of radicalisation - giving a unique opportunity to open discussion around this phenomenon.

Title Details
Let’s play extremism - mainstreaming far-right ideas through video-gameplay View Paper Details
A Nation of Rock: The normalization of the far right through music in Hungary View Paper Details
Revolt Against the Modern World: Gender, Sex and Violence in Traditionalist YouTube videos View Paper Details
Hate on the news: Far-right media strategies in Australia View Paper Details
Beyond the Usual Suspects: A Qualitative Exploration of Conspiracist Belief Among Quebecers View Paper Details