21 st Century Europe Emerging Trends

Final Exam: Thursday, April 17 th 9-11:00 AM SN2000 Format: 2 Essays

Is there a new party politics?  Party systems no long ‘frozen’  Fracturing at the poles: New parties on the left: New parties on the left: Left Party in GermanyLeft Party in Germany Socialist Party in the NetherlandsSocialist Party in the Netherlands A new party family on the right: new right (populist parties) A new party family on the right: new right (populist parties)

Impact of the new right:  Enter cabinets in Austria Austria Italy Italy Netherlands Netherlands Denmark Denmark  But difficulties once they do Internal divisions Internal divisions Tensions between outsider roles and governing Tensions between outsider roles and governing

Staying power  Governing can lead to splits, implosion FPÖ in Austria FPÖ in Austria LPF in the Netherlands LPF in the Netherlands But now a new, new rightBut now a new, new right Rita Verdonk’s Proud of the Netherlands Rita Verdonk’s Proud of the Netherlands Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party  But even if they disappear, success demonstrates that votes are available demonstrates that votes are available carves out and enhances market for such parties carves out and enhances market for such parties

Impact:  Established parties take up some of their demands  Policy shifts, especially on immigration and assimilation Netherlands: In the wake of Pim Fortuyn Netherlands: In the wake of Pim Fortuyn Abandon political correctness and multiculturalismAbandon political correctness and multiculturalism Adopt more stringent immigration policiesAdopt more stringent immigration policies Christian Democrats launch discussion on norms and valuesChristian Democrats launch discussion on norms and values

Euro-skepticism & the EU  Evident in several countries  Elites respond by backing off: Abandon Constitutional Treaty Abandon Constitutional Treaty More insistence on national sovereignty, putting subsidiarity into effect More insistence on national sovereignty, putting subsidiarity into effect  Yet, still willingness to accord authority to the EU were European-level action is required, e.g Immigration and asylum Immigration and asylum Anti-terrorist measures Anti-terrorist measures Environmental policies Environmental policies

Bottom line  Still strong elements of continuity The EU is there The EU is there So are government bureaucracies political systems So are government bureaucracies political systems So too are established parties: So too are established parties: Staying power reflects experience – knowing how to operate the systemStaying power reflects experience – knowing how to operate the system Recovery potential if the issues are defined favourably for themRecovery potential if the issues are defined favourably for them  Impact on party systems: More players involved More players involved Novel coalitions, new combinations Novel coalitions, new combinations