The containment of the radical right in Western Europe: a response to Carvalho

Abstract

Do extreme right parties in contemporary Europe shape policy in meaningful ways? Carvalho's book charts complicated intellectual terrain, and the author demonstrates that while radical right parties have made a modest political impact in some states, they have achieved much less than one might have expected in their central policy area (immigration). After reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of Carvalho's analysis, I suggest that his findings are consistent with the general ‘containment’ (as opposed to ‘contagion’) of the radical right in (Western) Europe. The notion that the populist right has been ‘contained’ in Europe may seem odd at first blush, but a comparison with the USA suggests that it may be a fruitful theoretical starting point.

Keywords:

• radical right
• political parties
• populism
• European Union
• USA

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David Art

DAVID ART is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Tufts University.