Between real and virtual: strategies of mobilisation of the radical right in Eastern Europe

ABSTRACT In this article, we explore radical right mobilisation beyond the electoral arena, looking at its characteristics and forms, as well as intensity and related factors (such as the preferred targets and issues). Within a comparative study of four country cases in Central and Eastern Europe the analysis is carried out by drawing on two novel datasets: i. a protest event analysis of RR street mobilisation (from 2008 to 2016; for a total of 1040 events collected) and, ii. formalised web content analysis of more than 200 radical right websites. We provide a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in the action strategies of (Eastern European) RR movements, activists and party actors-- comparing them with offline and online RR mobilisation in Western Europe. Common trends but also specificities of the Eastern European arena of RR contention are unveiled.