Second phase: The activation stage

Abstract

Abstract How can established political norms, such as stigma against radical-right politicians, change? The chapter argues that, for this to happen, it takes an exogenous trigger and a political entrepreneur. The trigger makes norms temporarily looser. The entrepreneur can read into this cue and realize that there is more private radical-right support than is typically observable. This gives them an incentive to run for election with the stigmatized ideology, activating silent radical-right preferences in their society. Following outgroup threat triggers, such as Islamist attacks, individuals disregard norms more. At the politician level, more intense attacks make new politicians run for election on radical-right platforms. These entrepreneurs are more skilled, and do better electorally. Discussing four country cases, the chapter highlights how these entrepreneurs explicitly breach established norms. Finally, it discusses a case where, because one necessary condition (the entrepreneur) was not present, no process of normalization was put into motion.