Study of the online behavior of right-wing populists in Europe.

[pampango]

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/europa/italy-comes-under-bond-market-pressure-berlusconi-clings-power

Uncertain economic times lead some people to look for outsiders to blame. In Europe it used to be the Jews, anti-Semitism was part of the deep-weave of European culture. Now there are virtually no Jews left in Europe so the outsiders of choice are Muslim immigrants. Xenophobia is on the rise as European economies flatline.

What's interesting about the current brand of right-wing populism is how it is spreading via social networks rather than political party propaganda machines. That's the finding of a new report by Demos, the London think-tank, published today. Findings are based on 10,000 responses to a survey conducted on line via Facebook and the other usual suspects. (Report can be downloaded from this page for free).

From the link:

Populist parties and movements are now a force to be reckoned with in many Western European countries. These groups are known for their opposition to immigration, their ‘anti-establishment’ views and their concern for protecting national culture.

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Online populist supporters are highly critical of the European Union, with many blaming it for a loss of control over borders and the erosion of cultural identity.
The shift from online activism to voting is motivated by concerns over immigration, and Islamic extremism.