Is Europe on the "rigth" path? Right-wing extremism and right-wing populism in Europe

Abstract

What danger does the extreme right therefore pose? How does it show and organize itself in Europe and her regions? What manifestations and strategies can we identify and what counter-strategies can we develop? What role do politics and civil society play in the work against right-wing extremism and what are the next essential steps? Is Europe on the “right” path? These lead questions both shape and structure this anthology and form the basis for the work against right-wing extremism which the Friedrich- Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is deeply committed to. The central FES-Project ”Combating right-wing extremism” has therefore continuously worked for many years on different strategies for democracy and against right-wing extremism, and has offered dialogue platforms for experts and activists from the fi elds of science, politics and civil society. Additionally, the publications and studies of the FES serve to inform and shape poltitical debates on a regular basis. Since 2009, the international dimension of right-wing extremism constitutes an individual working line of this continious work of the FES. Within the framework of the XENOS special programme “Ausstieg zum Einstieg”, the German Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Issues, the European Union, and the European Social Fund assist the Friedrich-Ebert- Stiftung in its efforts for a European debate and networking building. With their help, two international large-scale conferences have been organized since 2009 with experts from all over Europe. Following a fi rst conference in November 2009 focussing on analysing the problem by European countries and regions, an OPEN SPACE conference for democracy took place in November 2010 searching for joint socio-political solutions. This anthology combines the insights gained at these events in the form of scientifi c analyses of manifestations of the extreme right in different parts of Europe. Additional articles document the resulting discussions and conclusions for the socio-political debate. The photos and images contained in this book demonstrate how dramatic this issue is, but as well document the extensive interest in and awareness of it, as well as the creativity of democratic resistance witnessed at our conferences. This publication of the Project “Combating right-wing extremism” of the FES wishes to contribute to the socio-political debate on right-wing extremism as a threat to Europe’s democracies and societies. With this book, we would like to give constructive impetus for the fi ght against rightwing extremism, xenophobia , and racism, and for a Europe of democracy and solidarity. We of course hope that you will enjoy reading it.