On the 'Two Faces' of Right-Wing Extremism in Belgium: Confronting the Ideology of Extreme Right-Wing Parties in Belgium with the Attitudes and Motives of Their Voters

In: Res publica: politiek-wetenschappelijk tijdschrift van de Lage Landen ; driemaandelijks tijdschrift, Band 38, Heft 2, S. 397-411

Abstract

Analyzes ideological differences between extreme right-wing parties & their voters in the Flemish & Walloon part of Belgium, referring to ongoing research (N = 30 interviews to date). Extreme right-wing ideology consists of five core elements -- (biological) racism, extreme ethnonationalism, the leadership principle, antiparliamentarianism, & an antileftist attitude -- that refer to the basic value of right-wing extremism: inequality of individuals & (ethnic) groups. This bears out in an analysis of the ideology of the Vlaams Blok in Flanders. However, the attitudes & motives of the voters of this party lie in opposition to those of right-wing extremists. The ideological gap between the Vlaams Blok & its electorate is attributed to the strategy of this party, because it cultivates two faces: populist/moderate to attract votes & radical extreme right-wing to recruit & motivate militants. In Wallonia, less is known about the ideology of right-wing parties & their voters, but it is suggested that Flemish research may well be generalized. 1 Table. Adapted from the source document.