Radicalization of New Alternatives in a Changing Political Environment

Political systems in many democracies are in flux due to the emergence and electoral success of new, alternative political parties. The phenomenon has a certain dynamic and using one country case study – Slovakia – it can be argued that compared to their predecessors the most recent political newcomers may have a more radical, even anti-system character. The paper deals with theories of new political parties and the conceptual definitions of anti-system parties in general while the empirical part focuses on developments, characteristics and profile of two political parties in Slovakia, namely the anti-establishment formation Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OľaNO) and extreme right – wing People’s Party – Our Slovakia (ĽSNS). Both parties are recently represented in the national parliament being in opposition. Based on empirical data from several surveys the study points at discrepancies in the anti-establishment and anti-system organizations, ideologies and voters. It is illustrated that the voters of the anti-system party show an ideological distance from other political parties, as well as a strong identification with the party of their electoral choice. The study analyses the Slovak case in much broader debate about illiberal tendencies and backsliding democracy in Central and Eastern Europe.