Rise and Decline of Right-Wing Extremism in the Czech Republic in the 1990s

Journal article | Zeitschriftenartikel

Explores the recent history, regional correlates, & social background of right-wing extremism in the Czech Republic, namely of the republican party (SPR-RSC). After briefly describing the development of right-wing extremism in the Czech Republic over the last decade, sociological theories about the rise of the extreme Right in Europe are reviewed & their applicability to the SPR-RSC assessed. Findings reveal that social background does not distinguish republican voters from their counterparts in other European countries. Consequently, electoral volatility between left- & right-wing parties & the SPR-RSC is analyzed, placing the party somewhere in the Left part of the Czech political spectrum. Next, some regional correlates of Czech right-wing extremism are investigated. A higher inclination toward right-wing extremism is found in rural regions with high unemployment & crime rates. Suggested in conclusion are possible explanations for the SPR-RSC's failure in the elections for the Chamber of Deputies in June 1998. It is argued that social insecurity & rising unemployment may have led a number of SPR-RSC supporters to vote Left. Further, the SPR-RSC failed to mobilize nonvoters & first-time voters in 1998.

Object Details

• Extent: Seite(n): 69-91
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Status: Veröffentlichungsversion; begutachtet

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Sociologický časopis / Czech Sociological Review, 8(1)

Classification and Topics

• Subject: Staatsformen und Regierungssysteme ; Politikwissenschaft ; Staat, staatliche Organisationsformen ; politische Willensbildung, politische Soziologie, politische Kultur

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Vlachova, Klara ; Kreidl, Martin
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (when): 2000

Further information

• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-53232
• Rights: GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften. Bibliothek Köln
• Last update: 21.06.2024, 4:27 PM CEST