The Majority Report with Sam Seder

2410 - Right Wing Disaster Nationalism Is The New Fascism w/ Richard Seymour

12 snips
Jan 13, 2025
Richard Seymour, a London-based writer and commentator, discusses his book "Disaster Nationalism: The Downfall of Liberal Civilization." He highlights how the far-right exploits real-world disasters to promote a scapegoating narrative, tying crises like climate change to ethnic and political minorities. Seymour also examines the psychological roots of aggressive nationalism, particularly among youth, and the implications for democracy. His insights draw parallels between historical instances of violence and contemporary political movements, emphasizing the dangers of proto-fascism.
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INSIGHT

Disaster Nationalism

  • Disaster nationalism links real disasters to imaginary scapegoats.
  • It thrives on turning abstract anxieties into concrete enemies, fueling violence.
ANECDOTE

Gujarat Pogrom

  • The 2002 Gujarat train fire, falsely blamed on Muslims, led to a BJP-organized pogrom.
  • This violence increased BJP's vote share, demonstrating that brutality can be politically advantageous.
INSIGHT

Modern vs. Classical Fascism

  • Modern disaster nationalism, unlike classical fascism, isn't anti-capitalist.
  • It lacks utopian visions, focusing instead on defensive, often ethnically charged, nationalism.
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