The Metabolism of the Right Populism in France of the 21st Century

Abstract

The phenomenon of a right populism in modern France is analyzed.  In such context, the theoretical approaches of leading French  historians, sociologists and political scientists to the definition of  populism are considered. The main differences in the definition of  populism by different specialists are shown. Different manifestations of populism such as the left-, rightwing, and  emanating from the masses and the ruling elite are characterized.  The features of a modern right-wing populism are reviewed on the  example of the National Front Party (NF), headed by Marin Le Pen.  The political, cultural, electoral and institutional factors that led to  the growing popularity of the NF are studied. The specifics of the  success of the “fronts” in various elections, beginning in 2012, are  presented in a “long-term”, “medium-term” and “short-term”  perspective. Weaknesses in governing the country of systemic ruling left and right parties, and the growth of distrust towards them  by civil society are shown. The evolution of the National Front  since the founding of the party by Jean-Marie Le Pen and internal  party crises are considered. The author comes to the conclusion  that, despite the fact that in the doctrinal plan the “marinists” have  not moved away from the “national populism” that followed the NF  congress on March 10-11, 2018, tactical actions and a change in the  name of the party suggest that that the party is trying to become  the second system right-wing party in France. Besides, the strong  assertion of populism in global political culture has become a  challenge to liberal democracy in the 21st century, so it could be  expected to manifest itself in other far-right associations.