Perceived threat and support for right‐wing ideology in Finland

Abstract

Support for right-wing ideology is on the rise in Finland and has been for the past decade. Using the intergroup threat theory, this study investigates the extent to which support for right-wing ideology in Finland is explained by the perception of threat from immigrants. According to the intergroup threat theory, immigrants can be perceived as a realistic threat and a symbolic threat. Another aim of this study is to understand how differently the types of threats explain support for right-wing ideology in Finland. With a sample of 604 participants, results showed that while controlling for age, gender, education and religiosity, perceived threat was a significant predictor of support for right-wing ideology. However, when considered individually without the effect of other factors, it was revealed that symbolic threat was a stronger predictor of support for right-wing ideology in Finland when compared to realistic threat.

Majority grievance in Germany: The role of entitlement beliefs and ingroup threat.

“…While most research on threat and majority grievances (i.e., discrimination claims) has focused on demographic change and progress of minority (Craig & Richeson, 2017; Dover et al, 2016; Major et al, 2002), concerns about immigration have also been linked to threat perceptions among majority groups in many contexts. In several European countries, waves of immigration in recent years have led to negative reactions such as increased anti-immigrant prejudice and support for right-wing parties among majority groups (see Gootjes et al, 2021; Lucassen & Lubbers, 2012; Nshom, 2022). In Germany, polls show a growing perception of threat related to immigrants and refugees, with a majority of Germans expressing negative opinions about asylum seekers and wanting fewer immigrants to be allowed into the country (Poushter & Castillo, 2019; Study Finds Germans Increasingly Hostile, 2019).…”