Explaining Strategic Adaptation of the Far Right in Poland. Political Opportunity Structures, Networks, and Narratives.

Gamson and Mayer (1996) argued that social movement is not a monolithic entity but rather consists of diverse actors occupying different areas of the movement field. The far right is no exception — it is a configuration of actors with varying experiences, goals, as well as different strategic and tactical preferences. By analyzing the narrative process of the local far right actors in Poland, we aim to draw attention to the mediating role of social networks between political opportunity structures and strategic choices. A marginal position in relation to central far-right actors shapes the grassroots actors’ specific relationship to their own past, organizational history, and tactic choices of action repertoires. The local far right prioritizes civic activities, such as maintaining monuments and cemeteries and supporting local educational initiatives, over protest actions and engagement with national politics. Reliance on a retrospective, place-based narrative leads movement activists to avoid participating in the national-level movement. We demonstrate that combining narrative analysis with social network analysis provides a useful tool for understanding the strategic adaptation of social movement to emerging political opportunities.