Establishing Exclusionary Neoliberalism

This chapter delves into the intricate relationship between far-right populism and the neoliberal consensus that has shaped global economies since the 1980s. Contrary to the common portrayal of far-right populism as a challenge to neoliberalism, this analysis reveals a more nuanced interaction, whereby far-right populist parties incorporate neoliberal policy ideas within their nationalist agendas. By examining the convergence of economic nationalism and neoliberalism, the chapter challenges the dichotomous conception as mutually exclusive. Drawing on theoretical insights and the case of Austria’s Freedom Party’s ideational history, it demonstrates that far-right populism does not simply revert to economic nationalism but instead crafts a unique blend of exclusionary neoliberalism. This synthesis suggests that the ideological underpinnings of far-right populist parties are both more complex and coherent than previously acknowledged. The chapter critiques the oversimplified binary classification of party ideology along economic lines and underscores the significance of understanding far-right populism’s nuanced economic narratives. Through this exploration, it contributes to the broader scholarly debate on the dynamics of political ideology in the era of globalization, offering a critical perspective on the intersection of nationalism and neoliberalism in contemporary far-right populism.