🔗 Share this article

Established political parties are increasingly allowing the far right to set the political agenda, according to a new study conducted in Germany.

Academics discovered that this phenomenon has unwittingly helped radical groups by validating their viewpoints and spreading them more widely.

Analysis Based on Two Decades of Media Coverage

The results, published in the academic journal on political studies, utilized an automated text analysis of more than 520,000 articles from a half-dozen national publications.

Capital-based scholars noted that as the far right moved from marginal topics in the late 1990s to core subjects like integration and immigration, mainstream political groups progressively adapted their messaging in response.

This adaptation boosted the dissemination of these concepts and indicated to voters that such positions were legitimate.

Implications for Democracy

"Political communication by established parties is crucial in the electoral success of the radical right," explained a expert in political behavior participating in the study.

"This element has been overlooked," she noted.

The effect was evident even when conventional parties were condemning the radical faction. "You're still giving them attention," the researcher commented. "The main point is that because we live in such a battle for attention, this focus is crucial."

Mainstreaming Phenomenon Across Europe

While the research was centered around the German context, this mainstreaming phenomenon is likely to apply to countries across the European continent.

"You see this a lot in European news outlets," explained another co-author. "The far right says something and everyone begins discussing it for one week."

"Although you're opposing it, you're repeating it," he stated.

Toughening of Political Rhetoric

At times, leaders have also hardened their discourse to match that of the far right.

In a recent interview, a then national leader advocated large-scale deportations and urged them to happen "more often and faster."

Comparable examples can be observed throughout the continent, as politicians from countries including the United Kingdom to the French Republic adopt the language of the radical right, especially on immigration.

This has formed an feedback loop that was unthinkable a ten years prior.

Central Issue: Who Sets the Agenda?

"{If you're a moderate party and you are talking about societal topics – immigration, assimilation – in a way that is dictated by the rhythm of the far right, that's the whole idea of agenda setting," explained a study author.

Other parties have gone one step further, attempting to emulate the strict platform of the far right, despite studies suggests that doing so drives the electorate to vote for the far right.

Gradual Impact and Voter Awareness

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

"Voter awareness doesn't change from day to day," stated a co-author. "However, when you hear this negative framing around migration every second week, and it is being spread not only by radical groups but also, for example, by mainstream political organizations, then of course this narrative gains more traction."

Requirement for Mainstream Groups to Carve Out Their Own Narratives

The study highlighted the necessity for mainstream parties to carve out their own discourses, especially on subjects such as immigration and integration, rather than constantly trailing after the far right.

"It's like a dance," explained one researcher. "If the conductor is far-right and you're reacting to it, you lose the ability to choose which tune should be heard."