Economist Podcasts Extreme measures: America’s far right
May 19, 2020
In this discussion, Andrew Knox, a writer for The Economist specializing in extremism, examines the rise of far-right groups in America leveraging the pandemic to spread their ideologies. He highlights troubling instances of violence and online recruitment tactics. Mark Johnson, The Economist's China correspondent, contrasts this with the long-overdue governmental shift toward acknowledging mental health issues in China, detailing recent initiatives and ongoing challenges stemming from cultural stigmas. Together, they unpack these pressing societal issues.
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Far-Right Presence at Protests
- Extremists are appearing at protests across America, identifiable by specific attire.
- They exploit pandemic fears, aiming to recruit others to their cause.
Far-Right Activities During Pandemic
- The far right is not monolithic; different factions have varying engagement methods.
- Activities include Zoom bombing, inciting infection, disrupting government services, and attempted terrorism.
Pandemic's Alignment with Far-Right Beliefs
- The pandemic aligns with certain far-right beliefs, energizing groups like white supremacists, Boogaloo Boys, and accelerationists.
- These groups exploit the pandemic's origin, fear of government overreach, and societal disruption to promote their agendas.
