ultraderecha

Ultraderecha is a label used to describe a range of political actors and movements characterized by strong nationalist identity, traditional social values, and a skeptical or hostile stance toward liberal democratic pluralism. In Spanish-speaking contexts the term serves to distinguish these currents from mainstream conservative or right-wing parties and from left-wing ideologies. It is not a single organization but a spectrum that can include parties, informal groups, and individuals.

Common features include an emphasis on national sovereignty, law and order, and opposition to immigration and multiculturalism. Ultraderecha often deploys populist rhetoric that pits a supposedly virtuous majority against a corrupt or out-of-touch elite. Attitudes toward democracy vary: some currents advocate for democratic processes while seeking to constrain or redefine rights and institutions; others advocate more decidedly illiberal or authoritarian governance. Economic positions are diverse, ranging from market liberalism to statist interventions, but agreement tends to center on sovereignty, conservatism, and resistance to supranational supra-national norms.

Regional usage varies. In Spain and several Latin American countries, ultraderecha has been used to describe parties and movements associated with nationalist, anti-immigration, and socially conservative agendas. In some cases, historical legacies from past authoritarian regimes influence rhetoric and organizational style. In contemporary politics, analysts often examine ultraderecha in relation to democratic norms, media discourse, and civil liberties, highlighting concerns about intolerance, polarization, and the potential for democratic backsliding when illiberal tendencies gain institutional power.