Representation or reprehension? Radical-right electoral competition, satisfaction with democracy, and voter turnout

An important issue in the research on radical parties asks a critical question: are these parties a threat or corrective for democracy? I analyze this question with specific regard to radical-right parties and political participation. Specifically, I ask whether the inclusion of a radical-right competitor in electoral contests serve to disenchant and demobilize voters, and present evidence of a potential causal mechanism through which we may see such an effect. First, through an analysis of election-level data in Europe I demonstrate this indeed appears to be the case: in elections where radical-right parties compete, turnout falls. I then look to survey data and causal mediation analysis to demonstrate why. Findings indicate radical-right electoral competition serves to decrease individuals’ trust in politicians and satisfaction with democracy, which in turn makes them less likely to turnout and vote.