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Dominant Themes in Political Profilation of the British National Party

Publication at Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Faculty of Social Sciences |
2012

Abstract

The study examines the rise of the British National Party (BNP) by analysing its three core ideological pillars - opposition to immigration, globalization and the critique of main political parties. It is suggested that the exploitation of the immigration issue and the concept of multiculturalism by the BNP is a deliberative move aimed to utilize tensions in the British society in order to politically benefit from them.

Moreover, the study demonstrates how the BNP promotes the concept of economic nationalism as an alternative to globalization to address the specific target group of "angry white men". The third pillar refers to the BNP's endeavours, in the light of recent scandals, to criticise political elites.

It is concluded that the current socio-economic situation in the United Kingdom has contributed to the electoral gains of the BNP, and, ultimately, opened up space for populism in British politics.