Mainstreaming, radicalisation, normalisation? Towards more conceptual clarity on how mainstream actors legitimise the far right

The far right is becoming increasingly established worldwide and is now in its “fourth wave”, characterised by its mainstreaming and normalisation. Mainstream parties’ radicalisation plays a key role in these processes. Although more and more studies focus on all three processes (i.e. the mainstreaming and normalisation of the far right, and mainstream parties’ radicalisation), there is still no conceptual clarity about what these terms mean, which actors are involved and what effects these processes have. This article has three aims. First, we describe how mainstreaming, radicalisation and normalisation have been conceptualised and measured in the existing literature. Second, we review and compare recent research findings on the effects of these processes on party competition and public discourse. Third, we discuss four research avenues: clearer concepts, better operationalisations of the mainstream and non-mainstream, more refined theories about different party families, and a broader perspective beyond immigration issues and electoral politics.