In his lecture MIDEM Visiting Fellow Mattia Zulianello argues, that the label „far right“ overlooks the fundamental ideological distinctions between the extreme right and the radical right. The anti-democratic tendencies of the extreme right are not its defining feature, but rather a consequence of its core ideological commitment: the belief in the necessity of an eschatological palingenesis of the nation. This dimension is often overlooked by proponents of the „far right“ label. However, eschatological palingenesis is central to understanding the extreme right’s identity and worldview, bringing with it corollaries such as elitism, anti-democratic attitudes, revolutionary ambition, and the justification of political violence. Therefore, it is crucial to distinguish clearly between the radical right and the extreme right, both conceptually and empirically. More precise terms should be used whenever possible, rather than resorting to the vague umbrella term „far right.“
