Work and The Populist Radical Right: A Comparative Analysis of the Radical Right’s Labor Discourse Across Time and Space

The characterization of populist radical right (PRR) parties as representatives of the working class has become increasingly popular over the past decades, both within and beyond academic circles. Supporters of PRR parties are frequently perceived as the “losers” of globalization, automation, and sectoral change, all of which have significantly affected labor markets, occupational class structures, and employment contracts. Consequently, one might expect work-related issues to be central to these parties. Indeed, an expanding body of literature underscores the significance of socioeconomic themes, particularly welfare related, for PRR parties. However, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the ways in which these parties address work-related issues, including labor markets, working conditions, and the well-being and recognition of “those who work”. This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of the discourse on work, from the early 2000s until today, among three prominent PRR parties: the French Rassemblement National (RN), the Dutch Partij voor de Vrijheid (PVV), and the Austrian Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (FPÖ). These parties are not only the most representative cases of contemporary PRR parties, but also among the most successful. Based on a qualitative content analysis of electoral manifestos and additional programmatic party publications, this paper shows that, despite some country divergences and evolutions over time, PRR parties adopt a common framework on work-related issues, which resonates with their broader socio-economic producerist agenda.