Dimensions of National Identity and Right-Wing Extremist Attitudes in Germany

• In Event: EXTREME Panel 5. The development of extremist attitudes and intentions

Abstract

Social identities influence individual and collective behaviour, shaping political attitudes and societal cohesion. National identity is particularly relevant in many European societies, where right-wing parties are on the rise, promoting nationalist ideologies. However, national identity is often viewed as a unidimensional indicator of nationalist or ethnocentric attitudes. This paper argues that national identity is a multifaceted phenomenon that requires a multidimensional analysis to understand its connection with extremist political attitudes.
Conceptual frameworks (e.g., Ashmore et al., 2004; Ellemers et al., 1999; Leach et al., 2008) suggest multiple dimensions of identification, including, e.g., self-categorization, emotional attachment, and subjective importance. It is argued that individuals’ interpretations of their own national identity, shaped by these dimensions, significantly influence political attitudes.
This study uses data from the representative survey "People in Germany 2024" (N = 4,293). Using latent class analysis, it examines five dimensions of national identity (self-categorization, subjective importance, emotional attachment, private and public evaluation) to identify patterns of identification. Regression analyses then explore their links to indicators of extremist attitudes.
Preliminary findings reveal six distinct identity patterns. The clusters differ in socio-structural characteristics such as age, gender, education level, migration background, and region. Subsequent multivariate analyses show that identity patterns vary significantly in the prevalence of right-wing extremist attitudes and acceptance of democratic principles. The pattern approach highlights that the dimension ‘emotional attachment’, reflected in positive feelings toward symbols like the German flag and national anthem, is particularly relevant in explaining these attitudinal differences.
In summary, this paper critically examines the relationship between national identity and political ideologies, focusing on right-wing extremist attitudes. Based on the results, it discusses how such attitudes, shaped by national identity, might be addressed in German society.

Author

• Rebecca Endtricht, German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)