The role of nationalism in the appeal of the far right

Kerr, W and Kerr, N (2025) The role of nationalism in the appeal of the far right. Journal of Psychosocial Studies. pp. 1-6.

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Abstract

We use a psychosocial approach to explore the important role nationalism plays in underpinning the resurgence of far-Right populist parties. We first define nationalism as an everyday phenomenon, with a banal form that structures our lives, that makes the hot form possible (Billig, 1995). We then look at social and psychological reasons why people would be drawn to the far-Right. Socially, the far-Right take advantage of people’s alienation and the deteriorating economic circumstances, to argue that others are responsible for undermining the national spirit, sending the nation into decline. Psychologically, authoritarian leaders provide an opportunity for people to resolve their frustrations at their status: they see themselves reflected in the leader’s glory, by subsuming themselves to the nation. National identity, combined with these forces, thus explains the attraction of the far-Right as providing a seeming resolution to their social and psychological struggles, through the immortality of the nation.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is a post-peer-review, pre-copy edited version of an article published in Journal of Psychosocial Studies. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Kerr, W., & Kerr, N. (2025). The role of nationalism in the appeal of the far right. Journal of Psychosocial Studies (published online ahead of print 2025). Retrieved May 12, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.1332/14786737Y2025D000000038 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1332/14786737Y2025D000000038
Uncontrolled Keywords:	5205 Social and Personality Psychology; 52 Psychology; Mental Health; 5205 Social and personality psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Humanities and Social Science
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Date of acceptance:	31 March 2025
Date Deposited:	12 May 2025 13:03
Last Modified:	12 May 2025 15:00
DOI or ID number:	10.1332/14786737y2025d000000038
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/26343

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