The Rise of Nativism in Europe

We show that using the concept of nativism and distinguishing three types of nativism help us to better grasp what is going on at the right-wing side of the political spectrum in Europe. Broad concepts such as nationalism are correct yet not very helpful in our effort to understand the specificity of the recent rise of the right. This rise of the right in Europe has a peculiar nativist character, based on antagonistic notions on who truly belong in terms of religion, race, and class. Although not often used for European contestations around national belonging, the concept of nativism proves to be useful in the understanding of right-wing ideologies and beyond.