The rise of anti-Islam rhetoric in post-2015 France raises crucial questions about the far right. Does it rely on old-fashioned racism, inviting pushback? Or does it use a more sophisticated approach to blend with national values and gain political traction?
Methodology:
- Social network analysis examining 77 French far-right websites
- Qualitative frame analysis of online content
- Online audience measurement through visibility metrics
Findings by Frame:
- Interpret Islam as threatening core French identity (Religion/Culture)
- Mobilize against 'neo-racist' interpretations disguised within national values
The Winning Strategy?
The neo-racist approach proves more effective online, leveraging dominant concepts of secularity and republicanism without explicit reference to racial animosity. This reveals a strategic tension: the far right can appear mainstream while still fundamentally challenging the system they oppose.
Broader implications suggest this 'opposition within' strategy may be replicable elsewhere.
