Extreme Rigth and Democracy in Europe After the Second World War

It seems urgent to reflect on how democracies have responded to the presence of extreme rightwing movements, both in terms of political practices and rhetoric. Have democracies actively opposed the extreme right, or have they opted for strategies of containment and coexistence? Equally important is to examine the perspective of the extreme right: how has it interpreted and narrated the (supposed) coexistence with the democratic system? How has it dealt with the legacy of fascism and to what extent has it adapted to the culture of democracy? This conference will analyze the language and culture of the extreme right, paying special attention to its critiques of democracy, including its reaction of Enlightenment values and claims that democracy operates a double standard, tolerant in theory, but marginalizing and punishing the extreme right in practice. Giving historical depth to the extreme right’s relationship with democracy will allow for new insights into today’s public debates.