| In the past two decades, European politics have witnessed the transformation of populist radical right parties from the margins to the mainstream. Many countries in Western Europe, such as France and Austria, have strong right-wing populist parties that have influenced their national governments by forming governing coalitions and agitating political agendas. Although not a political party, the rise of the Tea Party movement in the United States has created a surge of right-wing populism and has taken on many commonalities with European right-wing populist party agendas. Right-wing populist parties vary in party makeup and agenda in Western Europe, as do the supporters of the Tea Party movement. Comparatively assessing the party platforms and supporters demonstrates the differences and similarities between right-wing populist parties in Western Europe and supporters of the Tea Party movement in the United States. |
