and are a primary factor in light of the economic crisis in the country; a further analysis of Greece (as well as Hungary) will follow.
VVThe far right gains a disproportionate amount of support from working-class men living in urban areas who have low educational qualifications or job security – individuals who experience substantially the cons of globalization, particularly the ‘threat’ posed by migrant and foreign competition to their jobs, their welfare system, and their culture39. Bipolarization takes place as the traditionally-strong left in European states see an increase in right-leaning parties, signifying that the “right has got its act together to ensure that votes and seats that were previously wasted on pariahs are no longer wasted because they are no longer pariahs”40. The centre is being drowned out by the polarization of the centre-right towards the far-right, requiring the centre-left to follow similar suit and associate with the far-left presence in many states. But which states exactly are witnessing this change in their political landscape?
VVThe EU, as an institution that promotes equality, human rights, and the rule of law, is experiencing internal turmoil from some of its member states, not just those on the outside looking in. EU members (Hungary and Greece in particular) have exhibited behaviour not traditionally seen in the EU sphere. This shows that the EU, with all its resources and soft power, may not actually be able to constrain xenophobic or intolerant behaviours of its member states once they have completed accession.
VV“Fears of the effects of globalization and social tensions evoked by the awareness of Europe as a continent of migration have paved the way for a new wave of identity politics and scapegoat ideologies”41. It is becoming evident that far-right parties are gaining support and are becoming more mainstream – as the EU promotes equality and human rights in its peripheral partnership countries, it is experiencing a bubbling of tensions within its borders.
100
39. Bale 2003
40. Ibid. p.71
41. Halasz 2009, p.490