wiki.smarken.dk

Oprettet fredag 06 marts 2026

is facism on the rise in current western world?

The answer is complicated. Most political scientists say fascism itself is not fully returning, but far-right and authoritarian movements have clearly grown stronger in parts of the Western world. These are related but not exactly the same thing.

1. Far-right parties have gained support in many Western countries

In recent years, several right-wing populist or nationalist parties have increased their vote share across Europe and North America.

Examples include:

Alternative for Germany in Germany, which gained about 20.8% in the 2025 federal election and has even led some opinion polls.

Rassemblement National in France gaining large youth support and record parliamentary seats.

Similar parties gaining influence in countries like Italy, the Netherlands, and Finland.

In fact, reporting in 2025 noted that right-wing populist parties were leading polls simultaneously in major European economies like the UK, France, and Germany for the first time.

So politically, the “rightward shift” is real in many places.

2. But most experts say this is not the same as classic fascism

“Fascism” historically refers to regimes like:

Benito Mussolini’s Italy

Adolf Hitler’s Germany

These systems had features such as:

one-party dictatorship

abolition of democracy

censorship and repression

paramilitary violence

total control of society

Most modern Western far-right parties still operate inside democratic systems, run in elections, and do not openly advocate a dictatorship. Because of that, many scholars call them:

far-right populist

nationalist

authoritarian-leaning

—not strictly fascist.

3. What has increased: polarization and radical rhetoric

Researchers have found that political discourse in Western democracies has become more toxic and polarized, especially around issues like immigration and culture wars.

This environment can:

make extremist ideas more visible

normalize harsher rhetoric

increase support for radical parties.

4. There is also strong resistance

Another important point: the rise of far-right politics has triggered large counter-movements.

For example, millions of people protested against far-right extremism in Germany in 2024–2025 after revelations about extremist meetings connected to AfD figures.

So the political direction is being contested, not universally shifting.

✅ Summary

Far-right and populist movements have gained support in several Western countries.

However, most scholars say fascism itself has not returned in the historical sense.

Western democracies are currently experiencing greater polarization, nationalism, and political volatility, but also strong democratic pushback.

If you want, I can also explain why some historians say modern politics has “echoes of the 1930s”—and why others strongly disagree. That debate is really interesting.

how does Denmark parties go in that way?

Denmark’s political system is much less extreme than many other Western countries, but it still has a range from far-left to far-right parties. Importantly, fascism is not a major force in Danish politics today, though some right-wing populist or nationalist parties exist.

Here’s a simple overview of where the main Danish parties fall.

🇩🇰 Denmark’s political spectrum (simplified) Left-wing parties

These focus on welfare, climate policy, and equality.

Red–Green Alliance (Enhedslisten) – democratic socialist / eco-socialist

Socialist People's Party (SF) – left-wing, green politics

The Alternative – green progressive

These parties generally support:

strong welfare state

climate action

immigration rights

Center-left / center parties

These are more moderate.

Social Democrats – traditional center-left party that leads government under Mette Frederiksen

Social Liberal Party (Radikale Venstre) – social-liberal, pro-EU

Interestingly, the Danish Social Democrats are much stricter on immigration than many other European center-left parties.

Center-right / liberal parties

These support markets, business, and lower taxes.

Venstre – major liberal party

Conservative People's Party

Liberal Alliance – libertarian-leaning

These are mainstream democratic parties.

Right-wing populist / nationalist parties

These are where most debate about “far-right” politics in Denmark happens.

Denmark Democrats – nationalist, anti-immigration party founded by Inger Støjberg.

Danish People's Party – older nationalist party focused on immigration and Danish identity

Citizens' Party – newer populist right-wing party formed in 2024.

These parties typically support:

stricter immigration policies

more nationalism

skepticism toward the EU

They are controversial but still operate within democratic politics.

Very extreme fringe

Denmark also has tiny extremist parties, but they have almost no electoral support.

Example:

Stram Kurs, led by Rasmus Paludan, known for extreme anti-Islam activism.

This party received only about 1.8% in a national election, below the threshold to enter parliament.

Historically, Denmark had a Nazi party during World War II:

National Socialist Workers' Party of Denmark, which was banned after 1945.

Today there is no major fascist party.

✅ Overall situation in Denmark

Denmark remains a stable democracy with strong institutions.

Some right-wing populist parties have grown, especially around immigration.

But extreme fascist politics are very marginal compared to the 1930s or some other countries today.

If you want, I can also show you something interesting: why Denmark’s immigration policies became some of the strictest in Europe—even under a left-wing government. It’s a pretty unique political story.