The organicist dream: why the far right seeks a closed society
Beyond simple labels like 'extremist' lies a complex worldview built on organicism. It is the belief that society is a living, unified entity that must be protected from the perceived impurities of modern pluralism and diversity to ensure its survival.
At the heart of far-attendee ideologies, according to scholars Jean-Yves Camus and Nicolas Lebourg, is the concept of organicism. This perspective views society as a complete, homogeneous living organism. To maintain this 'natural' state, proponents often reject universalism in favor of 'autophilia' and 'alterophobia'—essentially idealizing a 'we' while excluding a 'they.' This drive for a closed, naturally organized society often leads to the absolute differentiation of nations, races, or cultures.
This worldview frequently manifests through the pursuit of societal purity, often defined along ethnic, national, or religious lines. Political scientist Cas Mudde identifies several key components of this movement, including exclusivism—manifesting as xenophobia or chauvinism—and a traditionalist value system that mourns the loss of historic social frameworks like the family or the nation. In some contexts, this includes 'welfare chauvinism,' where social benefits are reserved for the perceived native community.
The political spectrum of the far right is not monolithic. Scholars like Léonie de Jonge distinguish between the 'radical right,' which is reformist and accepts free elections but opposes elements like minority rights, and the 'extreme right,' which is revolutionary and may oppose popular sovereignty altogether. While the term is often used by adversaries to stigmatize nationalist movements by linking them to historical fascism, the actual boundaries between mainstream right-wing politics and the far right remain a subject of intense academic and political debate.
Source: Far-right politics
