European Far-Right Dictating the Political Agenda, Research Finds

Mainstream political parties are more and more enabling the far right to dictate the political agenda, according to a recent research carried out in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Researchers discovered that this phenomenon has inadvertently helped far-right groups by validating their ideas and disseminating them to a broader audience.

Analysis Based on Over 20 Years of Media Reporting

The results, published in the academic journal on political studies, utilized an computerized content review of over 520,000 articles from a half-dozen national newspapers.

Capital-based scholars noted that as the far right moved from fringe issues in the late 1990s to core subjects like assimilation and migration, established parties progressively adjusted their messaging in response.

This adaptation boosted the spread of these ideas and indicated to voters that such positions were acceptable.

Implications for Democracy

"Political communication by established parties plays a central role in the electoral success of the far right," explained a expert in political behavior participating in the study.

"This factor has been underestimated," she noted.

The effect was evident even when conventional parties were condemning the radical faction. "They still receive focus," the expert commented. "The main point is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this focus is crucial."

Normalisation Effect Across Europe

While the study was centered around Germany, this mainstreaming phenomenon is likely to apply to countries across the European continent.

"You see this a lot in German and British media," explained another researcher. "Radical groups says something and everyone starts talking about it for one week."

"Although you're opposing it, you're echoing it," he added.

Toughening of Public Rhetoric

At certain points, leaders have also hardened their language to match that of the radical right.

In a recent interview, a former German chancellor called for large-scale expulsions and urged them to happen "more often and faster."

Comparable examples can be observed throughout Europe, as elected officials from countries ranging from the UK to the French Republic adopt the language of the far right, particularly on migration.

This has created an echo chamber that would have been inconceivable a ten years prior.

Central Issue: Who Sets the Agenda?

"{If you're a centrist political group and you are talking about societal topics – immigration, assimilation – in a way that is dictated by the rhythm of the radical right, that's the essence of narrative control," explained a researcher.

Other political parties have taken additional measures, attempting to emulate the hardline platform of the far right, despite studies suggests that this approach drives voters to cast their ballot for the radical faction.

Progressive Influence and Public Perception

The extent of information gathered showed that the influence of far-right parties had been progressive and had grown with the passage of time.

"Public perception doesn't change from day to day," stated a researcher. "However, when you encounter this pessimistic narrative around migration every second week, and it is being disseminated not only by radical groups but also, for example, by mainstream parties, then of course this storyline travels further."

Need for Mainstream Parties to Carve Out Their Distinct Discourses

The study highlighted the need for mainstream parties to carve out their own discourses, particularly on subjects such as migration and assimilation, instead of continuously trailing after the far right.

"It's like a dance," said one author. "When the leader is far-right and you're responding to them, you lose the ability to choose which tune should be playing."