ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the impact of the extreme right on politics and society is examined. There is little doubt that the parties discussed above have made a considerable impact in Western Europe, although this has varied from country to country depending on the strengths and circumstances of extreme right penetration. Impact has taken different forms. For instance, in some situations in Western Europe (notably in Austria, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland), extreme right parties have entered government and shared direct access to policy making, albeit as junior partners. In other cases (notably Denmark and Norway), extreme right parties have stood outside government but have provided support to ruling parties and coalitions. Elsewhere (notably France), sub-national arrangements with the right have given the extreme right influence and access at regional and local levels. Furthermore, the strength and influence of extreme right parties via the ballot box and as exhibited through public opinion mechanisms have enabled them to exercise a pressure on other political parties and their policy agendas. In turn, political opponents have not sat idly by, faced with extreme right challenges. Rather, they have adopted measures and strategies to contain and reverse extreme right growth. Mainstream party strategies and tactics, therefore, may serve to constrain voters from supporting the extreme right. Without pretending to be exhaustive, these aspects are also examined below in order to highlight the reaction of establishment forces to extreme right prevalence.
