Far Right and the Environment: Politics, Discourse and Communication

The Far Right and the Environment: Politics, Discourse, and Communication explores the intersection of liberal democracy and environmental crises, highlighting the environmental communication of far-right party and non-party actors in Europe and the United States. It reveals a long-standing ideology-driven history of concerns over the natural environment by the far right, with some offering distinctive ecological visions of communal life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 334 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2019
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The twenty-first century has witnessed a convergence of two significant crises that have garnered widespread attention in the public sphere: the crisis of liberal democracy, exemplified by the rise of far-right actors in Europe and the United States, and the environmental crises, ranging from declining biodiversity to climate change. While these two domains have been extensively studied in isolation, The Far Right and the Environment: Politics, Discourse, and Communication offers valuable insights into their intersection by examining the environmental communication of far-right party and non-party actors in Europe and the United States. It is important to note that concerns over the natural environment by the far right have a long and ideology-driven history, despite their current perception as a "left-wing issue." This edited volume explores the diverse range of stances taken by far-right individuals and groups regarding the natural environment, shedding light on the broader politics of the far right and highlighting the close connection between identity politics and the imagination of nature. By bridging the fields of environmental communication and the study of the far right, the contributions to this volume provide timely assessments of this often overlooked dimension of far-right politics.

The rise of far-right actors in Europe and the United States has been a significant concern in the early twenty-first century. These actors have capitalized on public dissatisfaction with traditional political institutions, often promoting nationalist, anti-immigrant, and anti-environmental ideologies. The environmental crisis, on the other hand, has posed a mounting threat to the planet's ecosystems, including deforestation, climate change, and pollution.

While the far right has traditionally been associated with anti-environmental views, there are instances where some members of the movement have offered distinctive ecological visions of communal life. For example, some far-right parties in Europe have advocated for sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and conservation efforts. However, these stances are often overshadowed by climate-change scepticism and a denial of the scientific consensus on climate change.

The intersection of the far right and the environment has important implications for understanding the politics of identity and the imagination of nature. The far right often appeals to a sense of cultural and national identity, which is closely linked to the natural environment. By promoting narratives that undermine the importance of environmental protection, the far right can undermine the legitimacy of environmental movements and promote apathy towards environmental issues.

At the same time, the far right's imagination of nature is often shaped by a romanticized view of the past, where the natural world was seen as pure, pristine, and untouched by human intervention. This view can lead to a disregard for the complexity and fragility of ecosystems and a lack of appreciation for the role of human activity in shaping the natural world.

The Far Right and the Environment: Politics, Discourse, and Communication provides a valuable contribution to the study of these complex issues. The book brings together a range of scholars from different disciplines, including political science, communication studies, and environmental studies, to explore the intersection of the far right and the environment. The chapters in the book offer a comprehensive analysis of the political discourse, communication strategies, and public attitudes towards the environment among far-right party and non-party actors in Europe and the United States.

One of the key findings of the book is that the far right has been successful in exploiting the environmental crisis to promote its political agenda. By framing environmental issues as threats to national security, cultural identity, and economic prosperity, the far right has been able to gain support from a wide range of voters, including those who may be traditionally skeptical of environmental concerns.

The book also highlights the role of media and communication in shaping public attitudes towards the environment. The media has played a crucial role in amplifying the voices of far-right actors and promoting their anti-environmental views, while also marginalizing the voices of environmental activists and scientists. This has contributed to a polarization of public discourse and a lack of consensus on environmental issues.

In conclusion, the crisis of liberal democracy and the environmental crisis have converged in the twenty-first century, presenting significant challenges to society. The far right has been able to capitalize on public dissatisfaction with traditional political institutions and promote anti-environmental ideologies. However, the book highlights the diverse range of stances taken by far-right individuals and groups regarding the environment, and the close connection between identity politics and the imagination of nature. By examining the intersection of the far right and the environment, The Far Right and the Environment: Politics, Discourse, and Communication provides valuable insights into the politics of identity and the imagination of nature in the contemporary world.

Weight: 676g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138477865