ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the theoretical argument that underpins this book by introducing a multifaceted framework for analysis. This chapter is divided into five parts. The opening section seeks to defuse the conceptual minefield that exists around right-wing populism by surveying the existing literature and generating a minimal definition of right-wing populist parties. The second part discusses different dimensions of electoral success and explains why the breakthrough moment is particularly important. Drawing on the plethora of scholarly work on the rise of the populist radical right, the third section synthesises existing theories that seek to explain the electoral success of right-wing populist parties by systematically separating them into demand- and supply-side explanations. The fourth part focuses on contextual factors, notably the role of mainstream parties and the media, and highlights the various ways in which they can impact voter demand and party supply. This chapter concludes by generating a set of theoretical expectations for the success and failure of right-wing populist parties.
