Working Paper

Duane Swank

Department of Political Science

Marquette University

Hans-Georg Betz

Center of European Studies

New York University

We outline and test the argument that globalization contributes to the electoral success of the new far right in Western Europe. We also draw on the theory of embedded liberalism to advance and test the hypothesis that a comprehensive, generous, and employment-oriented system of social protection mitigates the economic insecurities attendant internationalization and, in turn, weakens support for far right parties. In empirical analysis of national elections in 16 European nations from 1981 to 1995, we find that several dimensions of trade openness are systematically related to electoral support for the new far right, that the universal welfare state directly depresses the vote for these parties and weakens the linkages between internationalization and electoral support, and that several additional features of economic and political change contribute significantly to explaining new far right success. In conclusion, we consider our findings’ implications for theories of the domestic political effects of globalization and of right-wing populism as well as for policy reforms that promote political economic stability in an era of international economic integration.