RIGHT-WING EXTREMISM IN CONTEMPORARY EUROPE: AN OVERVIEW

The article examines right-wing extremism, which is regarded as one of the major problems facing Europe today. First, issues connected with the terminology and classification of radical political parties, their leaders, and members are discussed. Substantial attention is devoted to the origin and scope of the phenomena in contemporary European countries. The author next discuses a variety of means for preventing political extremism. Special attention is also devoted to the transformation of extremism, as well as to its specific features and diversity in individual countries. The author describes specific characteristics of those groups of right-wing electorates which support and vote for radical parties in election campaigns.