Post-Fascist Right-Wing Social Movements

Abstract

For quite a long time it seemed evident in social movement research that the subjects of research are movements aiming at progressive and democratic social and political change. This was the case because most academic definitions of social movements excluded reactionary, racist and right-wing social movements from the area of application, either explicitly or implicitly. Now, there is at least some academic work on these phenomena. However, a systematic and multi-disciplinary investigation of historical dimensions, current manifestations, modes of performance and ideological profiles of right-wing movements is still missing. I intend this essay to bring together main insights and trajectories of social movement research with real-world examples of racist and right-wing social movements from different parts of the world. The object of my analysis is limited to more recent right-wing movements, since the period of fascist regimes in Europe is over (post-fascist).