Perceptions of gender: the discourse of the far right on the web

Abstract

Recent years have seen the rise in popularity of far-right populist organisations, movements and parties. Issues related to gender and sexuality have been constantly present in the public discourse of far-right populist political parties and movements. The Internet has provided a new alternative platform not only for politics but also for all other human communications. New media have entrenched in everyday life and have created a new sense of belonging. New media manage to enhance democratic deliberation and create a fruitful environment for virtual communities to develop. The construction and legitimation of difference and inequality - based on biological or cultural arguments - is central for sexist practices within the far-right populists. In terms of religion in the Nordic and Western European countries, for example France, the UK and Austria, the parties of the far-right populists do not engage with strong religious rhetoric.