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Mainstream political parties are more and more allowing the far right to dictate the public discourse, as per a new study carried out in Germany.

Researchers found that this phenomenon has unwittingly benefited far-right groups by legitimising their ideas and spreading them more widely.

Study Based on Over 20 Years of Media Reporting

The findings, released in the academic journal on political studies, utilized an automated text analysis of more than 520,000 news pieces from a half-dozen national newspapers.

Capital-based scholars observed that as the far right moved from marginal topics in the late 1990s to central themes like assimilation and migration, established political groups progressively adapted their communication in response.

This adaptation amplified the dissemination of these concepts and signaled to the electorate that such stances were acceptable.

Implications for Democratic Systems

"Public communication by mainstream parties is crucial in the electoral success of the radical right," explained a political sociologist involved in the study.

"This factor has been overlooked," she noted.

The impact was evident even when conventional groups were condemning the radical faction. "You're still giving them attention," the expert remarked. "Our core argument is that because we live in such a battle for attention, this focus is crucial."

Mainstreaming Phenomenon Across Europe

While the research was focused on the German context, this mainstreaming phenomenon is probable to apply to nations across the European continent.

"You see this a lot in German and British news outlets," explained another researcher. "The far right says something and everyone begins discussing it for several days."

"Even if you're opposing it, you're echoing it," he added.

Hardening of Political Rhetoric

At times, political figures have also toughened their language to align with that of the radical right.

In a recently published interview, a former German chancellor called for large-scale expulsions and pushed for them to happen "more frequently and rapidly."

Similar examples can be observed throughout the continent, as elected officials from nations ranging from the UK to the French Republic adopt the rhetoric of the radical right, particularly on migration.

This has formed an echo chamber that would have been inconceivable a ten years prior.

Core Issue: Who Dictates the Agenda?

"{If you're a moderate political group and you are discussing societal topics – migration, assimilation – in a way that is dictated by the rhythm of the far right, that's the essence of agenda setting," explained a researcher.

Other parties have taken additional measures, seeking to copy the strict agenda of the far right, even as research indicates that doing so drives voters to cast their ballot for the far right.

Progressive Impact and Voter Awareness

The extent of information collected revealed that the influence of radical parties had been progressive and had grown over time.

"Voter awareness doesn't change from one day to another," commented a researcher. "However, when you hear this pessimistic narrative around migration every second week, and it is being disseminated not only by far-right parties but also, for example, by established political organizations, then of course this narrative gains more traction."

Requirement for Mainstream Groups to Carve Out Their Distinct Discourses

The study emphasized the necessity for mainstream political parties to develop their own discourses, especially on subjects such as immigration and assimilation, instead of continuously following the far right.

"It resembles a choreography," explained one author. "When the leader is far-right and you're responding to them, you lose the ability to choose which music should be heard."