Neither Civic nor Ethnic: Analyzing Right-Wing Politics Using a Theoretical Expansion of Kohn’s “Dichotomy of Nationalism”
Neither Civic nor Ethnic: Analyzing Right-Wing Politics Using a Theoretical Expansion of Kohn’s “Dichotomy of Nationalism”

Summary/Abstract: Comparative research looks for “ethnic nationalism” to classify a party as either “extreme right” or “radical right.” “Ethnic nationalism” has turned into a common theoretical concept by way of various interpretations of Hans Kohn’s work, developing a theoretical ethnic/civic contrast of national ideologies. Th e application of this dichotomy has been criticized for lack of theoretical depth that resulted in inaccurate analysis and, in some cases, harmful normative judgment. Th is article claims that this simple contrast between two types of national ideology omits complex theoretical views of nationalism that are neither civic nor ethnic, which are promoted mainly by the conservative right. By expanding Kohn’s dichotomy into an “axis of ideological nationalism,” it off ers a normative theoretical tool to be used in comparative politics, paving the way for a more comprehensive model of right-wing national ideology.

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