Illiberal Politics in Neoliberal Times
Culture, Security and Populism in the New Europe

Argues that the rightwing populist movement in contemporary Europe would not have emerged in the absence of intensified Europeanization.

Mabel Berezin (Author)

9780521839136, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 February 2009

324 pages, 10 b/w illus. 4 maps 6 tables
23.5 x 15.5 x 2 cm, 0.64 kg

'In the crowded field of books published on Europe's right-wing populism, this study by Mabel Berezin proves to be an impressive new addition. … a fascinating and insightful portrayal … this work is clearly an important contribution to the field and one that brings fresh ideas to a decades-old debate. The book is to be highly recommended.' Journal of Common Market Studies

The rise of rightwing populism has brought into question prevailing assumptions in social science about multicultural Europe. In this compelling study of populist politics, Mabel Berezin argues that the emergence of the movement in the 1990s was a historical surprise rather than an expected event. She questions whether rightwing populism would exist in the absence of the Maastricht Treaty and the subsequent intensification of cultural and economic Europeanization. Using an innovative methodology, Berezin analyzes the French National Front in relation to the broader context of Europeanization and globalization. She unpacks the political and cultural processes that evoke the thin commitments characterizing citizen support, and shows that we cannot make sense of rightwing populism without considering the historical legacies and practices, both national and international, within which it arises. This book makes a novel argument about the relationship between democracy and political and social security.

Introduction: the rightwing populist moment as historical surprise
Part I. Situating the Rightwing Populist Moment: 1. Cinderella in the polis: rightwing populism as historical phenomenon and political concept
2. Experience and events: reformulating the rightwing populist moment
Part II. The Trajectory of Thin Commitments: France and the National Front: 3. Beginning on the margins: the French first!
4. 'Neither right nor left: French!': the campaign for political normalcy
5. The paradox of defeat: the rise and fall and rise of the French National Front
6. The 2002 presidential elections: the fabulous destiny of Jean-Marie Le Pen
7. The 'new' April 21: from the presidential elections to the referendum on the European constitution
Part III. Theorizing Europe and Rightwing Populism: 8. Reasserting the national against Europe: politics and perception
9. Discovering the national in Europe
Conclusion: the future of illiberal politics: democracy and security.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Social theory [JHBA], Sociology [JHB], Social issues & processes [JFF], Cultural studies [JFC]