Resurgent nationalism and austerity in Southern Europe

The rise of virulent, aggressive nationalism, drawing on Nazi iconography and ideas (anti-semitism being the most obvious example) has been particularly obvious in southern states of the European Union (E.U.), suggesting a connection to the severe recession and deep cuts in government spending. Greece, Italy and Spain, where far right groups have been quiet active are also where austerity was applied deepest. The question, however, is if the growing popularity and assertiveness of these groups is just a question of bad economic times?
A closer look at Greece could shed some light on how this is not a spontaneous emergence of far-right extremism, but rather that the crisis has opened the terrain for these groups to come out of the shadows.
The recent wave of demonstrations in all Slovenia has caught everyone by surprise. But the appearance of a block of far right demonstrators and their subsequent fight with the police has received particular attention.
The crisis may not produce these movements yet it can make theirideas appear legitimate, particularly when backed up by action and support. Asneed-based services, such as pensions and welfare begin to disappear, they mustbe filled to some degree by someone other than the state. The question is, whowill that be?


By David Brown