Demonisation and electoral support for populist radical right parties: A temporary effect

• Autores: Sjoerdje Charlotte van Heerden, Wouter van der Brug
• Localización: Electoral Studies: An international Journal, ISSN 0261-3794, Nº 47, 2017, págs. 36-45
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electstud.2017.04.002
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Since the 1980s, Western Europe has experienced the surge of populist radical right parties. In an attempt to ward off these electoral newcomers, established parties have pursued strategies of disengagement, such as exclusion and de-legitimisation. This study examines the electoral effects of an excessive form of de-legitimisation, which we label ‘demonisation’. We estimate the effects of demonisation on electoral support for the Dutch Freedom Party (PVV) and its predecessor Groep Wilders. Time series analyses show that demonisation has a negative effect on electoral support, but only for Groep Wilders. Once the populist radical right party has made a successful entry into the party system, demonisation does not have its intended consequences.