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In light of the transformation of the Front National (FN) to a major player in French politics, this book examines how the unprecedented boost in positive opinions towards the FN as well as its increasing membership and electoral success have been possible. Using a supply and demand framework and a mixed methods approach, the author investigates the development of the FN and compares the "new" FN under Marine Le Pen with the "old" FN under Jean-Marie Le Pen across 4 dimensions: (1) the party's ideology, (2) the leadership styles of the two leaders including the composition of the party elites and the leaders'/ parties' relationship with the media, (3) the party members and (4) the party voters. It appeals to scholars interested in the study of radical right-wing movements and parties as well as to anybody interested in French politics.
List of contents
Introduction.- The History of the Front National.- The Ideology of the FN Between Jean-Marie Le Pen and Marine Le Pen.- Leadership and Elites Under Jean-Marie Le Pen and Marine Le Pen.- FN Membership Under Jean-Marie Le Pen and Marine Le Pen.- FN Voters Under Jean-Marie Le Pen and Marine Le Pen.- Conclusion.
About the author
Daniel Stockemer is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa. He specializes in political behavior and political representation. The study of radical right wing parties in Europe is one of his main research areas. He was awarded an Insight Development Grant from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2013 – 2016) to study the electoral success of the radical right in Western Europe. He further spent seven months on fieldwork in France in 2013 interviewing FN members. His work on the radical right in Europe appeared in the Journal of Common Market Studies and in Representation in 2014 and 2015. He also edited a special issue on the electoral spark of the FN in French Politics. Furthermore, he published articles in Electoral Studies, Political Studies, European Union Politics, Social Science Quarterly and the International Political Science Review.
Summary
In light of the transformation of the Front National (FN) to a major player in French politics, this book examines how the unprecedented boost in positive opinions towards the FN as well as its increasing membership and electoral success have been possible. Using a supply and demand framework and a mixed methods approach, the author investigates the development of the FN and compares the “new” FN under Marine Le Pen with the “old” FN under Jean-Marie Le Pen across 4 dimensions: (1) the party’s ideology, (2) the leadership styles of the two leaders including the composition of the party elites and the leaders’/ parties’ relationship with the media, (3) the party members and (4) the party voters. It appeals to scholars interested in the study of radical right-wing movements and parties as well as to anybody interested in French politics.
