How has radical right support transformed established political conflicts? The case of Austria

Autor(en)

Julian Aichholzer, Sylvia Kritzinger, Markus Wagner, Eva Zeglovits

Abstrakt

In many European party systems, the radical right has challenged established patterns of political competition. This article studies the consequences of this by using the case of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and data from Austria’s first national election study (AUTNES). It is found that the FPÖ has weakened Austria’s previously highly stable system of socio-structural and ideological divisions as expressed by the two mainstream parties, the People’s Party and the Social Democrats. In socio-structural terms, the FPÖ has undermined the Social Democrats’ support base. In ideological terms, FPÖ voters have distinct views on newer issues such as immigration, European integration and dissatisfaction with the political system, but its supporters’ views on Austria’s traditional conflicts surrounding the economy and social and religious values cannot explain the party’s success. These findings further our understanding of the transformation of political conflicts not just in Austria, but in Western Europe in general.

Organisation(en)

Institut für Staatswissenschaft

Journal

West European Politics

Band

37

Seiten

113-137

Anzahl der Seiten

25

ISSN

0140-2382

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/01402382.2013.814956

Publikationsdatum

08-2013

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ÖFOS 2012

506014 Vergleichende Politikwissenschaft

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Political Science and International Relations

Link zum Portal

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/a2665d71-a479-4019-b39b-a25a7c5a812e