'Wij zeggen wat ú denkt'. Extreem-rechts in Vlaanderen en nieuw radicaal-rechts in Europa

Abstract

The extreme-right in Flanders and the new radical right in Europe. New radical right parties in Europe can be typified as movements opting for a closed society based on a postulated homogeneous cultural identity. Their pronounced populism assures support of those segments of the population who have difficulty in dealing with the uncertainty of an increasingly plural and globalizing modern society. Within the new radical right one should make a distinction between those who, like Pim Fortuyn, are still to be situated within the boundaries of democracy on the one hand and extreme right wing parties and politicians on the other hand, who clearly take a position to the right of democracy. Indeed, among the extreme right, of which the Belgian Vlaams Blok is a clear example, the choice for a closed society is combined with a belief in the fundamental inequality of people and an (often latent) anti-parliamentary attitude. The strategy is sometimes defended to take the risk and include extreme right wing parties in government in order to show their incompetence. This article, however, insists one should take the ethical stance that co-governing with the extreme right is a 'no go'. It is stated this is not in breach with the idea of democracy, but indeed even helps to safeguard democracy.