Why is there growing support for right-wing political parties? Gilles Kepel, political scientist and distinguished expert on the Islamic and contemporary Arab world, claims that increasing marginalization and alienation from the world market has made large parts of the European population take shelter in cohesive systems of thought that break with the political establishment. There is a resurgence of exclusionary concepts of belonging based on ethnically defined nationality and common cultural/religious roots. In contrast, the public mood today is defined by demands to close the borders and to exclude those who are perceived as different.
Some years ago, globalization enthusiasm about open borders, freedom of travel, tolerance and liberal values prevailed in Europe. At its dark centre stand two bogymen: the denouncement of the European Union (along with the power of transnational elites ruling national politics) and the demonization of refugees trying to flee to Europe. They have all embarked on a more or less common authoritarian project. Nationalist and far right politicians have been propelled into government in several western and central European countries. Almost thirty years later, nationalism and right-wing populism have become powerful political factors throughout the continent today.
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