Campaigning in Radical Right Heartland: The Politicization of Immigration and Ethnic Relations in Austrian General Elections, 1971-2013

Immigration and ethnic diversity are contentious political issues in contemporary Europe. Both increasingly structure the campaigning strategies of political parties. This book provides insights into the processes driving party politicization. It presents findings from the heartland of the radical right, studying competition on migration and diversity in Austria since the 1970s. The book reveals how political parties adapt their electoral priorities to changes in the party system and the socio-structural conditions. The findings document the evolution of a new dimension of political competition and how niche parties can impact mainstream party politicization in the electoral arena. (Series: Studies in Political Communication / Studien zur politischen Kommunikation - Vol. 11)