Sequencing Left-Authoritarian Trends in Radical Right Parties and Their Support

• In Event: Why Are There No Left-Authoritarian Parties in Rich Democracies?

Abstract

While it is hard to find left-authoritarian parties among left parties, another path to the combination of economically progressive and culturally conservative positions runs through radical right-wing parties (RRPs) that combine a parochial rhetoric, a critique of global elites, and a defense of welfare states and economic levelling.
To the extent that an egalitarian shift can be generalized and linked to the low SES-groups (i.e., low education and/or low income) that are most susceptible to left-authoritarian programmatic profiles, shedding light on this change also makes plausible why so few old left parties are left-authoritarian. But how generalizable is such a “trend” really and how is it related to changes in the RRP-electorate?
Building on granular data on party positions that, for the first time, allows us to distinguish positive references to economic equality and redistribution from emphasis on equal rights, we sequence changes in the equality profiles of RRPs and the structure of their electorates. First, we establish that many RRPs have indeed become more economically egalitarian since 1970. Second, we describe the sequences in changes of party and electoral profiles. Third, we assess if/how RRPs discuss strategy. Finally, we draw on lag structures in regressions to test whether parties follow voters or vice versa.

Authors

• Matthias Enggist, University of Lausanne

• Alexander Horn, University of Konstanz