A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
On the Emergence of Alt-Science Counterhegemony : The Case of the Finns Party (2022)

Saresma, T., & Palonen, E. (2022). On the Emergence of Alt-Science Counterhegemony : The Case of the Finns Party. In H. Eslen–Ziya, & A. Giorgi (Eds.), Populism and Science in Europe (pp. 117-140). Palgrave Macmillan. Palgrave Studies in European Political Sociology. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97535-7_6

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Saresma, Tuija; Palonen, Emilia

Parent publication: Populism and Science in Europe

Parent publication editors: Eslen–Ziya, Hande; Giorgi, Alberta

ISBN: 978-3-030-97534-0

eISBN: 978-3-030-97535-7

Journal or series: Palgrave Studies in European Political Sociology

Publication year: 2022

Pages range: 117-140

Number of pages in the book: 302

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Place of Publication: Cham

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97535-7_6

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/84348

Abstract

The radical right often appears as anti-science. In this chapter, we explore how science and knowledge have a key role to play in the Finns Party, a radical right party with connections to the wider alt-right field in Finland and abroad. It appears to us that science is in fact hotly debated, criticized along its own political lines, and it gains support. The Finns Party’s practice on science consists of multiple tactics such as denialism, censorship, co-optation, and the desire to produce alternative information that follows the party’s line. In the Party, science and academics have a solid position in the party leadership, which today consists of distinctively educated citizens—a civilized elite. This invites us to consider the party not from the perspective of science scepticism but alt-science and hegemony.

Keywords: science; hegemony; antiscience; populism; right wing movements; right wing parties

Free keywords: science; hegemony; populism; radical right; alt-right; True Finns; Finns Party

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

Preliminary JUFO rating: 3