This project analyses the drivers behind the rise in extremist parties in individual European states, regions and cities.

Working with a number of European partners, this project involves a series of workshops which offer an opportunity to explore the phenomenon from a range of different national perspectives and discuss cross-cutting trends and policy responses.

A report by Dr Matthew Goodwin, published in September 2011, argues that populist extremist parties present one of the most pressing challenges to democracies in Europe, and that mainstream parties must rethink their approach to populist extremism. Read. 

Report

The Right Response: Understanding and Countering Populist Extremism in Europe
Chatham House Report
Matthew Goodwin, September 2011

Media

'Lack of Knowledge' on Right Wing Extremism
BBC Today Programme, Matthew Goodwin, February 2012

The Threat of Far Right Extremism Warrants more than Lip Service
The Guardian, Matthew Goodwin, February 2012

Challenging the Rise of Populist Extremism
European Voice, Matthew Goodwin, September 2011 

Guardian Focus podcast: Examining the British Far Right
The Guardian, with Matthew Goodwin, July 2011

Norway attacks: We Can no Longer Ignore the Far Right Threat
The Guardian, Matthew Goodwin, July 2011

The Far Right has the Same Violent Tntent as al Qaeda
The Times, Matthew Goodwin, July 2011

Norway Killer: Many within Far Right Share Anders Breivik's Ideas
The Daily Telegraph, Matthew Goodwin, July 2011

Events

8 March 2012
From Voting to Violence? New Evidence on Far Right Supporters

22 September 2011
Understanding and Countering the Rise of Populist Extremism in Europe
Launch of a Chatham House Report

16 - 17 May 2011
Understanding and Responding to Populist Extremism
Stockholm, Sweden

18 February 2011
Populism and Right-wing Extremism in Eastern Europe
Sofia, Bulgaria

14 - 15 December 2010
The Populist Challenge in Europe - Potentials, Impacts and Responses
Berlin, Germany

12 - 13 October 2010
Understanding and Dealing with the Spread of Populist Extremism in Europe
Chatham House, London