Making of the Contemporary World

The Extreme Right in Western Europe is a concise introduction to one of the most persistent facets of late twentieth-century history, politics and society.

The legacy of the Nazi era and the increasingly unacceptable face of extremism all militated against the success of far right-wing parties after World War Two. Nevertheless, contemporary problems and the solutions offered to ever more difficult questions such as immigration, unemployment, and law and order have enabled extremist, nationalist and populist movements to emerge.

Focusing on a range of countries including France, Italy, Germany, the UK, Austria, Belgium and the Mediterranean region, Paul Hainsworth:

explores the concept of right-wing extremism

discusses the varying success of extreme right political parties in Western Europe

examines the policies and perspectives of these parties

analyses the profile of the extreme right’s electorate

assesses the impact of right-wing extremism on aspects of politics in contemporary Western Europe.

This accessible and up-to-date analysis of this enduring movement in Western Europe is a must for courses in history, politics and European studies.