A recent study from Humboldt University of Berlin, detailed in the Handelsblatt, challenges the prevailing political strategy of engaging with far-right parties, concluding that such collaborations fail to moderate their influence and, in fact, often amplify it. The research, analyzing 647 governments across 37 democracies between 1980 and 2023, found no evidence that governmental participation or supportive arrangements weaken extremist factions.
According to Heike Klüver, a political scientist and co-author of the analysis, “No form of collaboration leads to right-wing extremist parties losing strength” and they often experience a net gain when involved in electoral alliances. The study casts doubt on the widely held belief that incorporating far-right groups into the political mainstream can neutralize them, labeling the strategy instead as “politically risky and strategically counterproductive.
The findings have sparked renewed debate regarding the efficacy of the “firewall” approach, with Passau political scientist Heinrich Oberreuter criticizing the tactic as “intellectually flawed and deficient”. He argues that the rise of parties like the AfD cannot be countered simply through demarcation but demands a proactive policy capable of addressing growing societal anxieties and fostering a sense of optimism. While recognizing the necessity of firm boundaries where democratic foundations are challenged, Oberreuter cautions against granting extremist factions a “veto position” by rejecting valid proposals merely because of potential AfD endorsement. He emphasizes the need to address root causes of discontent rather than relying on reactive measures of exclusion. The study’s conclusions represent a significant challenge to conventional political maneuvering and necessitate a critical reassessment of strategies aimed at managing the rise of extremist influences across democratic nations.
