FEMNAT: Does femonationalism bolster the appeal of far-right governments? Evidence from a large-N conjoint experiment in Germany
P3-S76-4
Presented by: Michal Grahn
Past research shows that framing illiberal policy proposals as advancing liberal values can increase the appeal of far-right candidates. We expand on this insight by exploring whether the same logic applies to government policies. Specifically, we examine whether a government’s illiberal migration policies garner broader support when framed as measures to promote women’s rights or enhance women’s security. To investigate this, we use an original, large-N conjoint experiment conducted in Germany after the 2025 federal election. We focus on government constellations that include far-right actors as well as those that accommodate far-right policy ideas. Our findings have significant implications for understanding the normalization of illiberal policies in democratic contexts and the role of framing in shaping public opinion. By highlighting the intersection of gender and migration, we reveal how liberal values can be co-opted to advance exclusionary agendas. This research contributes to broader discussions about the resilience of liberal democracies, the influence of far-right actors on mainstream politics, and the development of effective strategies to counteract illiberalism.
Keywords: political communication; anti-immigration policies; femonationalism; far right; government coalitions