Neo-Nationalism

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

   PDF

2. Introduction: The Rise of Nativist Populism

   • Eirikur Bergmann

   Pages 1-28

3. Understanding Nativist Populism

   • Eirikur Bergmann

   Pages 29-52

4. The First Wave: The Oil Crisis and the New Nationalists

   • Eirikur Bergmann

   Pages 53-82

5. The Second Wave: The Collapse of Communism and 9/11

   • Eirikur Bergmann

   Pages 83-130

6. The Third Wave: The International Financial Crisis and Refugees

   • Eirikur Bergmann

   Pages 131-207

7. Conclusions: The Neo-Nationalist Order

   • Eirikur Bergmann

   Pages 209-220

8. Back Matter

   Pages 221-235

   PDF

This book maps three waves of nativist populism in the post-war era, emerging into contemporary Neo-Nationalism. The first wave rose in the wake of the Oil Crisis in 1972. The second was ignited by the Collapse of Communism in 1989, spiking with the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The third began to emerge after the Financial Crisis of 2008, soaring with the Refugee Crisis of 2015. Whether the Coronavirus Crisis of 2020 will lead to the rise of a fourth wave remains to be seen. The book traces a move away from liberal democracy and towards renewed authoritative tendencies on both sides of the Atlantic. It follows the mainstreaming of formerly discredited and marginalized politics, gradually becoming a new normal. By identifying common qualities of Neo-Nationalism, the book frames a threefold claim of nativist populists in protecting the people: discursively creating an external threat, pointing to domestic traitors, and positioning themselves as the true defenders of the nation.

• Extremism
• Nationalism
• Populism
• Far-Right
• Democracy
• Liberal Democracy
• Authoritarianism
• Europe
• America
• Russia
• waves of nativist populism
• contemporary Neo-Nationalism
• New World Order
• Populist rise
• Discursive constructs
• 1972 oil crisis
• 1989 Collapse of Communism
• 9/11 terrorist attacks
• us politics

“Bergmann’s book is highly recommended, and provides an informed narrative to understand the trends underlying the rise of the radical right in its nativist and populist variety. This is an important book for sound orientation and reference, useful for journalists, students and a general readership alike.” (Andreas Önnerfors, radicalrightanalysis.com, November 20, 2020)

“This is an interesting and timely book. It provides a succinct and persuasive overview of the development of ‘neo-nationalism’ since the early 1970s.” (Jeffrey Haynes, Democratization, August 25, 2020)

“Bergmann’s book provides a concise overview of neo-nationalism. … this book is an importantcontribution to the mapping of populist parties in connection with neo-nationalism and, thus, triggers further research on its transformations. It is also valuable for the identification of the trajectories of the most influential nationalist parties over the last 70 years. It is finally a useful tool for anyone who wants to find sources and information for more research on the area of nativism.” (Dimitra Mareta, eExtreme, Vol. 21 (3), 2020)

"Erikur Bergmann’s new book reveals the connections between nationalism, populism, authoritarian drifts, conspiracy theories, and fake news, providing valuable insights into the decline of democracy around the world and especially in Western democracies.” (Professor Susanna Cafaro, University of Salento, Italy)

“Our current politics is plagued by the disturbing reemergence of nationalism, populism, and extremism. Many countries have turned away from democracy in favor of authoritarianism. Eirikur Bergmann carefully examines these illiberal trends from across Europe and the US to explain how democracy is failing and why. This is a must-read for any student of modern political history.” (Joseph E. Uscinski, Department of Political Science, University of Miami, USA)

“This latest study by Eirikur Bergmann provides an encyclopaedic, accessible, page-turning global survey of the rise of nationalist populism. This is likely to become the definitive introduction to the subject.” (David Farrell, Professor of Politics, University College Dublin, Ireland)

"This excellent book is timely and important. It highlights the need to consider the historical context and evolution of nativist forms of populism to fully understand their implications for our own time. It also reminds us that these implications are potentially so dire as to overturn our current world order, not by evolving it but by disrupting it." (Lone Sorensen, Department of Media, Journalism and Film, University of Huddersfield, UK)

• Centre for European Studies, Bifröst University, Reykjavik, Iceland

  Eirikur Bergmann

Eirikur Bergmann is Professor of Politics at Bifrost University, Iceland, and Director of its Centre for European Studies. He is author of nine academic books, and three novels. He is a frequent commentator in media on politics and European affairs.   

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