Seminar series
Europe as ideological resource
European integration and far-right legitimation
When
20 November 2024
12:30 - 14:00 CET
Where
Sala Belvedere
Villa Schifanoia
Join Marta Lorimer as she explores how European integration has served as an ideological resource for far-right parties, aiding their rise from the political margins.
While far-right parties were long relegated to the political margins, today they are regular features of European party systems. How did they go from an illegitimate fringe to contenders for public office – and did Europe have anything to do with it? In her book, Europe as Ideological Resource, Marta Lorimer argues that European integration functioned as an ideological resource for far-right parties, enabling them to refashion their political message in a more acceptable form while maintaining the allegiance of existing supporters. Drawing on qualitative analysis of documents produced by the Movimento Sociale Italiano/Alleanza Nazionale and the Rassemblement National, the book identifies the discourses these parties used to talk about Europe, and the legitimation mechanisms associated with them. By understanding how European integration facilitated the far right’s transition from the margins to the mainstream, this book adds one piece to the puzzle of far-right legitimation.
Scientific Organiser
Lorenzo Cicchi
European University Institute
Contact
Alessandra Caldini
Send an emailSpeaker
Marta Lorimer
Cardiff University