The relationship between far-right political streams and fascism is a recurring topic
in scientific literature. However, we find a low number of academic publications which
try to create a framework for their similarities. This article uses Zeev Sternhell’s
theory of fascism as a tool to measure different interpretations of fascism and the
far right. According to its basic statement, there exists an anti-Enlightenment tradition
in the Western world, which could serve as a substratum of these streams. This proves
two points. Firstly, that there are several political groups which share a very similar
political vision, even if their levels of aggression and radicalism are different.
This is the reason why many neo-fascist, post-fascist, ‘populist’ and conservative
parties have interchangeable rhetorical clichés and ideological patterns. Second,
it shows that Western countries could successfully fight the rise of upcoming anti-democratic
forces through strengthening the values of the Enlightenment-tradition.