1177 | 743 | Peripheralization Interpretations and Right-Wing Extremism: Findings from a Rural Small Town in the Free State of Saxony

The German state of Saxony is experiencing strongly uneven regional developments. Prosperous centers are contrasted by rural communities facing economic difficulties, outmigration, demographic shrinkage and aging. In the latter, far-right parties have consistently achieved high election results in recent years. This congress contribution aims to provide a spatially sensitive explanation of the high approval ratings of right-wing extremist parties in peripheralized municipalities. Through research based on a rural small town in Saxony, connections between peripheralization and the support of far-right parties can be demonstrated for the first time on a municipality level with qualitative data. For this purpose, qualitative interviews were conducted with local representatives from politics, administration and civil society. These were evaluated using a qualitative content analysis. It can be shown that the peripheralization processes in the small town are predominantly interpreted negatively. Parts of the population feel ‘left behind’ in different terms (economic, infrastructural or cultural). Related fears, suchs as of a lack of supply or financial descent, benefit right-wing extremist parties. Possibilities to counteract feelings of being left behind and to strengthen local democracy under conditions of peripheralization are outlined.

Erik Sacha
Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg

ID Abstract: 743