Neoliberalism and the far-right: a contradictory embrace

Davidson, N. and Saull, R. (2017) Neoliberalism and the far-right: a contradictory embrace. Critical Sociology, 43(4-5), pp. 707-724. (doi: 10.1177/0896920516671180)

Abstract

This article examines the contradictory relationship between neoliberalism and the politics of the far-right. It seeks to identify and explain the divergence of the ‘economic’ and the social/cultural spheres under neoliberalism (notably in articulations of race and class and the ‘politics of whiteness’) and how such developments play out in the politics of the contemporary far-right. We also seek to examine the degree to which the politics of the far-right pose problems for the consolidation and long-term stabilization of neoliberalism, through acting as a populist source of pressure on the conservative-right and tapping into sources of alienation amongst déclassé social layers. Finally, we locate the politics of the far-right within the broader atrophying of political representation and accountability of the neoliberal era with respect to the institutional and legal organization of neoliberalism at the international level, as most obviously highlighted in the ongoing crisis of the EU and Eurozone.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Davidson, Mr Neil
• Authors: Davidson, N., and Saull, R.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Critical Sociology
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0896-9205
• ISSN (Online): 1569-1632
• Published Online: 24 October 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Critical Sociology 43(4-5):707-724
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher