Abstract

This chapter examines how militant democracy functions in countering right-wing extremism. A case study of the Slovakian extreme-right party Kotleba’s – People’s Party Our Slovakia is used to explain the difficulties in using militant democracy to confront right-wing extremism. First, the history of militant democracy combatting right-wing extremism is outlined, including Karl Loewenstein’s legacy of counter fascist measures from the interwar period. The situation in the Federal Republic of Germany is analysed and some critiques of political scientists and legal experts relating to militant democracy are discussed. Second, the author, building on this discussion, develops a conceptual framework for analysing the impact of militant democracy on right-wing extremism. He elaborates three scenarios that can play out after banning a political party or association: a positive “white scenario”, a grey scenario and two black scenarios. Third, to conclude, the author analyses the L’SNS and the countermeasures of Slovak militant democracy, a confrontation still in progress, against the backdrop of the three scenarios.