The Use of Social Movement Theory to Explain the Emergence of Far Right Parties: The Political Process Model

Throughout the past three decades, several so-called third-wave far right parties (FRPs) have successfully emerged (von Beyme, 1988). Traditionally this has been explained by demand-side factors and (external) supply-side factors. This paper suggests a different and more comprehensive framework, and applies a social movement approach to FRP emergence. More specifically, the political process model (as designed and proposed by McAdam) is used to discuss and clarify the different dimensions of how FRPs emerge. Even though this is primarily used to explain social movement emergence, the relevant characteristics of emerging FRPs are very similar to those of emerging social movements. The political process model (PPM) consists of three distinct dimensions, which describe the different aspects of social movement emergence. Firstly, the PPM describes political opportunities, which refers to (more dynamic) factors outside the FRP that either facilitate or impede the emergence and/or access to power of FRPs. Secondly, the PPM describes resource mobilisation, which refers to (more structural) factors through which people can mobilise and engage in collective action. Lastly, the PPM refers to a situationally adjusted master frame, which includes cognitive and cultural factors that influence FRP emergence. The introduction of this model contributes to the existing scholarship on FRP emergence by introducing the concept of the master frame. A favourable combination of these three political process dimensions is both necessary and sufficient for FRPs to emergence successfully. Yet since its introduction in the 1980s, the PPM has experienced some criticism as well, especially from the more culturalist approach to (new) social movements, namely multi-institutional theory. Some criticism will serve as the basis for a slight modification of the PPM. However, most critiques are a consequence of a misinterpretation or misspecification of the PPM, its application on FRPs or an attempt to explain why movements emerged instead of how.