Abstract:
What danger does the extreme right therefore pose? How does it show
and organize itself in Europe and her regions? What manifestations and
strategies can we identify and what counter-strategies can we develop?
What role do politics and civil society play in the work against right-wing
extremism and what are the next essential steps? Is Europe on the “right”
path?
These lead questions both shape and structure this anthology and form
the basis for the work against right-wing extremism which the Friedrich-
Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is deeply committed to. The central FES-Project ”Combating
right-wing extremism” has therefore continuously worked for
many years on different strategies for democracy and against right-wing
extremism, and has offered dialogue platforms for experts and activists
from the fi elds of science, politics and civil society. Additionally, the publications
and studies of the FES serve to inform and shape poltitical debates
on a regular basis.
Since 2009, the international dimension of right-wing extremism constitutes
an individual working line of this continious work of the FES. Within
the framework of the XENOS special programme “Ausstieg zum Einstieg”, the German Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Issues, the
European Union, and the European Social Fund assist the Friedrich-Ebert-
Stiftung in its efforts for a European debate and networking building.
With their help, two international large-scale conferences have been organized
since 2009 with experts from all over Europe. Following a fi rst
conference in November 2009 focussing on analysing the problem by
European countries and regions, an OPEN SPACE conference for democracy
took place in November 2010 searching for joint socio-political
solutions.
This anthology combines the insights gained at these events in the form
of scientifi c analyses of manifestations of the extreme right in different
parts of Europe. Additional articles document the resulting discussions and
conclusions for the socio-political debate. The photos and images contained
in this book demonstrate how dramatic this issue is, but as well
document the extensive interest in and awareness of it, as well as the creativity
of democratic resistance witnessed at our conferences.
This publication of the Project “Combating right-wing extremism” of the
FES wishes to contribute to the socio-political debate on right-wing
extremism as a threat to Europe’s democracies and societies. With this
book, we would like to give constructive impetus for the fi ght against rightwing
extremism, xenophobia , and racism, and for a Europe of democracy
and solidarity. We of course hope that you will enjoy reading it.
