Economic Inequality and the Rise of the Radical Right: The Search for an Empirical Relationship

The observation of the remarkably stable development of inequality indicators in Germany in the relevant period suggests that it is unlikely that they represent a major explanatory factor for the rise of the AfD. Furthermore, in an EU comparison, the success of radical right-wing parties appears to be quite independent of the classification of their level of inequality. In Germany, AfD supporters are also rather critical of a (flat-rate) expansion of redistribution policies. Their view of the welfare state is characterised by welfare chauvinism and status orientation, and therefore their view of socio-economic indicators is rather pessimistic. A more powerful reception of positive outcomes may help to develop a socio-politically stabilising effect.