Occident was a French far-right militant group, active in France between 1964 and 1968 and considered the "main activist group on the extreme right in the 1960s". Occident activists were known for their "commando" actions against various "enemy" targets, such as left-wing students, PCF offices, immigrant associations, and anti-colonialists. A number of former Occident members later became prominent figures in mainstream right-wing parties; some even obtained ministerial positions. Occident actively participated in this Front.

Views

The Vietnam War had replaced the Algerian War as the battleground of the far right against communist expansionism. Occident proclaimed itself "a violent movement and proud of it", active to "defend the West wherever it fights".

Building on a "rudimentary fusion of nationalism, neo-fascism and social Darwinism", Occident was strongly anti-communist and anti-liberal. They called for the establishment of a corporatist economic regime and promoted the overthrow of "the Masonic and plutocratic republic", through a "second French Revolution that [would] sweep away the pernicious effects of the first". Occident advocated for a "new race" of leaders who would emerge from the "nationalist ranks", not through the "myth of election" but via the "selection of the best elements from the entire nation".

Notable members

Prominent former members include:

  • Patrick Devedjian — minister
  • Alain Madelin — founding member of the National Front
  • Jean-Gilles Malliarakis
  • Marie-France Stirbois
  • Bernard Antony
  • Pierre Vial

References

Bibliography

See also

  • Organisation armée secrète (OAS, the French terrorist group against the independence of Algeria)