The Real Story Behind the Far-Right's Rise in Europe
Jun 15, 2024
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Guest host Josie Duffy Rice and Max delve into the rise of the German far-right AfD party and the broader far-right movement in Europe. They discuss the party's extreme beliefs, ties to Putin, impact of terrorism, and factors driving bigotry. The narrative explores societal shifts, economic turmoil, and anti-immigration sentiments as key contributors to the rise of far-right ideologies in Europe.
Far-right parties in Europe have not gained widespread power despite their rise in influence.
Cultural shifts, economic instability, and fear of immigration have fueled the popularity of far-right ideologies in Europe.
Deep dives
The Rise of the European Far-Right Parties
Europe has observed a steady rise of far-right parties in its political landscape over the years. Despite concerns about the far-right's influence on democracy, these parties have not gained widespread power across most of Europe. The recent surge of far-right parties in consecutive EU elections has sparked discussions about the driving factors behind this political shift.
The Emergence of Alternative for Germany (AFD)
The podcast delves into the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AFD), a far-right party known for its anti-immigration stance and ties to Vladimir Putin. The AFD's extreme views include advocating for zero immigration, mass deportations of minorities, and denial of climate change. The party's controversial statements, such as downplaying Nazi atrocities and adopting Nazi slogans, highlight its radical positions.
Cultural Backlash & Far-Right Politics
Amid the cultural and political shifts in European societies, a noticeable backlash has emerged, contributing to the rise of far-right ideologies. The podcast discusses how issues such as fear of immigration, economic instability, and cultural changes have fueled the far-right's popularity. These sentiments have been a driving force behind the gradual growth of far-right parties over the past decades.
Factors Influencing Far-Right Support in Europe
The episode explores various triggers that have influenced the surge of support for far-right politics in Europe. Terrorism, rapid economic changes, and perceptions of uncontrolled immigration have played significant roles in shaping public attitudes. The analysis suggests that psychological responses to cultural shifts, economic uncertainties, and security concerns have contributed to the complexity of far-right movements in Europe.
We’ve been hearing that the far-right is on the rise in Europe for a decade now. And yet, with a few exceptions, these parties are nowhere near taking power. Even in the EU Parliament, where the far-right made gains for the third election in a row this week, nationalist parties are STILL expected to end up marginalized and powerless. What's driving them and what's stopping them? Max and guest host Josie Duffy Rice take a look at the rise of the German far-right AfD party to illustrate what’s going on across the continent and how we got here.