The Ideological Framework of the French Nouvelle Droite and the Contemporary Finnish Far Right : Differentialism and Anti-egalitarianism in Xenophobic Discourse

Abstract

This article deals with the xenophobic discourse of contemporary Finnish anti-immigrationists, namely the anti-immigration faction of the Perussuomalaiset party and its 'metapolitical' background organisation - Suomen Sisu. It focuses on two main themes - differentialism and anti-egalitarianism - as they have been conceptualised by the French Nouvelle Droite (ND) and the European New Right. Because these themes have been used to serve a variety of anti-immigration movements and parties within Europe, the article examines whether the selective reception of differentialism and anti-egalitarianism have a part to play in the xenophobic discourse within Finnish politics as well. The Finnish anti-immigrationists share some rhetorical strategies with the ND and use these selectively and in a modified form. It also shows the Finnish faction's aim to be part of a European nationalist and communitarian conservatism to legitimise their own otherwise harshly expressed anti-immigration views.