Thread by @robfordmancs

The mobilisation of voters against threatening has been a key driver of the rise of the radical right.

I wonder if a similar dynamic may now be playing a role in driving rise in support for liberals across Europe

But for liberals the threatening outgroup is the rad rt itself

Before Trump and Brexit we had many years of rad rt narrative portraying Muslims,refugees etc portrayed as a clear and present danger to national culture and values. 2/?

Since Trump & Brexit we have had nationalist/populist/radical right being presented in liberal media outlets as a clear and present danger to national values and democracy. Lots of best selling books & popular articles on rise of authoritarians, democracy in danger etc. 3/?

So perhaps now it is liberalswho are mobilising defensively in response to a threat to what they hold dear. Would make sense that they would gravitate to liberal/Europhile parties which most strongly articulate such values and most strongly stigmatise the radical right.

Obviously this isn’t only thing going on but is intriguing possibility. And a useful reminder that politics is a constant game of dynamic responses - narratives of “democracy in danger” can change how voters see the stakes and hence trigger a reaction