Extreme-Right Politics in Europe and South Asia: A Demand-Side Cross-Regional Study
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https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15506553Keywords:
Extreme-Right Parties, Europe, South Asia, Demand-Centered ThesisAbstract
The rise of extreme-right parties in Europe and South Asia has been shaped by political dissatisfaction, social breakdown, cultural backlash, and economic uncertainty. While extensively studied in the West, similar trends in South Asia remain underexplored. This study applies five demand-side theories to examine these movements: Protest Thesis, Social Breakdown Thesis, Reverse Post-Material Thesis, and Economic Interest Thesis. Using qualitative analysis of secondary sources, this research employs a comparative approach to analyze how these factors influence extreme-right parties across regions. Findings reveal that extreme-right parties thrive on voter dissatisfaction (Protest Thesis) and exploit the collapse of traditional social structures (Social Breakdown Thesis). Backlash against progressive policies (Reverse Post-Material Thesis) and economic anxieties (Economic Interest Thesis) further fuel support. In Europe, parties like France’s National Rally and Austria’s FPÖ capitalize on these factors, while in South Asia, India’s BJP and Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami follow similar patterns. Extreme-right parties gain traction through political discontent, identity concerns, and economic insecurities. Understanding these factors is crucial for policymakers to develop strategies addressing voter grievances and reducing polarization.
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