Dora

Feminist scholars understand contemporary polarization in Europe largely as a backlash against the success of feminist and progressive movements. Advances in gender equality and sexual rights have provoked counter-mobilizations by right-wing, anti-liberal, and authoritarian actors who seek to restore traditional gender roles and oppose liberal values such as reproductive rights and marriage equality. 

Central to these movements is the construction of the so-called “gender agenda” as a political enemy. Feminist analyses identify anti-gender politics as a core ideological element of right-wing populism in Europe, framing it as a reactionary response to decades of gender equality reforms. Through nationalist and populist rhetoric, gender becomes a symbolic site for articulating broader social discontent.

From a feminist perspective, the post-1989 project of liberalization represents both a historical success and a source of structural tensions. Social and economic transformations have produced new forms of inequality and insecurity, which right-wing movements exploit through nationalist narratives that frequently target women’s rights and equality policies.

Overall, feminist approaches provide critical insight into the causes and dynamics of polarization by linking anti-gender mobilization to wider struggles over democracy, social order, and political sovereignty. A intersectional feminist analysis is needed.

Stoltz, P. (2021): Right-wing populism and gender. European perspectives and beyond: by Gabriele Dietze and Julia Roth, eds., Bielefeld, transcript Verlag, 2020, Ethnic and Racial Studies, 44(13).

The European Union has long struggled with what is known as a democratic deficit. It is adressing the growing gap between EU decision-making and the direct influence of its citizens. While the EU has expanded its authority through successive treaties, democratic accountability has not kept the same development.

A key issue is the limited power of the European Parliament, the only EU institution directly elected by citizens. Despite representing over 400 million people, it cannot initiate legislation, leaving much of the agenda-setting power to the European Commission, which is not elected by the public. This institutional imbalance contributes to feelings of distance and disengagement among voters.

The problem is compounded by the lack of a shared European political identity. Most citizens still identify primarily with their nation-states, weakening democratic participation at the EU level and reducing voter turnout in European elections.

Although reforms such as the European Citizens’ Initiative aim to improve participation, they have so far fallen short. Unless the EU strengthens transparency, accountability, and citizen involvement, the democratic deficit will remain a central challenge to its legitimacy and long-term stability.

Op-Ed: The European Union has a Democratic Deficit Problem,” Pardee Atlas Journal of Global Affairs, Boston University, in: https://sites.bu.edu/pardeeatlas/opinions/op-ed-the-european-union-has-a-democratic-deficit-problem/, last access: 13.12.2025.

Euroscepticism continues to play a significant role in European politics, shaping party competition and public debate across the continent. In their 2024 article, Aleks Szczerbiak and Paul Taggart argue that Euroscepticism today is closely linked to the rise of anti-establishment parties, rather than being only about rejecting European integration outright.

Euroscepticism ranges from “hard” opposition, which rejects EU membership entirely, to “soft” criticism, which accepts the EU but challenges its policies or direction. While explicit calls for leaving the EU have declined since Brexit, critical attitudes toward the Union remain widespread. Many parties now focus on reforming the EU rather than abandoning it altogether.

The article shows that Euroscepticism is often used as a political strategy by parties that position themselves against political elites. By criticising the EU, these parties appeal to voters who feel excluded from decision-making at both national and European levels. As a result, Euroscepticism has become less about Europe alone and more about broader dissatisfaction with democratic representation.

Overall, Euroscepticism reflects deeper tensions over sovereignty, accountability, and trust in political institutions. Even without strong exit movements, EU criticism will likely remain a central feature of European politics.

Szczerbiak, A. & Taggart, P. (2024). Euroscepticism and Anti-Establishment Parties in Europe. Journal of European Integration, 46(8), 1171–1191.