Work

What makes ethnic majorities support the radical right? A combination of relative deprivation and social dominance approaches

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Political science has no shortage of theories to explain ethnic majority support for radical right parties. This article enriches political psychology literature on the radical right by combining two prominent approaches – relative deprivation and social dominance theories. Evidence using data from a representative survey in the United Kingdom shows for the first time that feelings of group relative deprivation for White Britons are associated with an increase in social dominance orientation. Afterwards, as suggested by the established literature, social dominance orientation influences anti-immigrant prejudice, which then increases radical right support. This article contributes to the literature on political psychology and the radical right. It indicates that relative deprivation and social dominance theories can be used together rather than separately to explain why people support radical right parties.

Source: The British Journal of Politics and International Relations

DOI: 10.1177/13691481261426791

Author: Domantas Undzėnas

Institution: University of Mannheim

Language: English

Topic: Populism, Right-Wing Movements

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650