Democracy in Peril: Examining the Resurgence of Fascism and the Radical Right in Europe

Fascism and the radical right are on the rise in Europe in ways that haven't been seen since the Second World War. Understanding the reason for this phenomenon is imperative to democracy's defense. Europe is the birthplace of democracy and political liberalism, and the continent is a model of these ideals for the rest of the world to strive to follow. European democracy's future is in peril with the resurgence of fascism and the radical right, fueled by growing Islamophobia, xenophobia, racism, economic issues, and the overall disillusionment of democratic institutions. The new wave of conservatism and the far right shares many similarities with historical fascism, yet is altogether something different. Understanding this new mold of the radical right is vital to democracy's survival, as it is fundamentally changing the European political landscape. In this oral presentation, I plan to discuss my senior thesis, which examines this resurgence of the radical right in Europe.