The fascist face of neoliberalism with Ece Temelkuran
Nov 15, 2024
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Ece Temelkuran, a Turkish journalist and writer known for her insights on authoritarianism, dives deep into the alarming connection between fascism and neoliberalism. She discusses her experiences with censorship in Berlin and reflects on her escape from oppression in Turkey. Temelkuran highlights the necessity of global solidarity in fighting fascism, emphasizing the importance of activism for Palestine. Her unique perspective sheds light on how language and collective action can resist authoritarian trends, making this conversation both timely and thought-provoking.
Ece Temelkuran argues that the rise of fascism is linked to neoliberal policies that threaten democracy and undermine dissent.
She emphasizes the importance of global solidarity and shared experiences in resisting fascism to foster effective political change.
Deep dives
The Rise of Fascism and Neoliberalism
The discussion emphasizes a growing concern about the intertwining of fascism and neoliberalism, particularly as experienced through the lens of Turkey's political climate. Ece Tamelkuran argues that the rise of authoritarian regimes is not a coincidence but rather a culmination of neoliberal policies that undermine democracy. Through examining the global political landscape, she articulates that capitalism and state power often collaborate to suppress dissent, which reveals the latent presence of fascist ideologies even in seemingly stable democracies. By exploring how these attributes are historically linked, Tamelkuran calls attention to the necessity of recognizing the rise of fascism as a persistent threat rather than a remnant of the past, pushing for a more urgent dialogue on this critical issue.
Global Solidarity Against Authoritarianism
Tamelkuran stresses that combating fascism requires a united global effort rather than isolated attempts within individual countries. She believes that the shared experiences of political oppression in the Global South can offer valuable lessons to Western nations currently navigating fascist sentiments. Emphasizing the importance of global solidarity, she advocates for collaboration that draws on the resilience and lessons from countries that have historically dealt with authoritarianism. This interconnected approach is seen as crucial to create a formidable opposition against rising fascist tides worldwide.
The Power of Faith and Collective Action
During the conversation, Tamelkuran highlights the significance of maintaining faith and collective action amidst political despair. She acknowledges the demoralization that can result from ongoing struggles against oppressive systems but urges individuals to remember the power of faith as a driving force for activism. Tamelkuran points out that history shows how community solidarity can foster resilience and change, urging people to embrace their shared humanity in the face of adversity. By encouraging a collective strength rooted in trust and emotional connection, she proposes that such an approach can create a transformative political environment capable of challenging the resurgence of extremism.
Fascism is a popular term in political discourse today. For the Turkish journalist and writer Ece Temelkuran, that’s a good thing — except that it comes too late. So how can we recognize a country's descent from democracy into fascism and what does resistance look like?
Host: Maxine Betteridge-Moes
Credits: Maxine Betteridge-Moes (Producer), Amy Hall, Bethany Rielly, Conrad Landin, Nick Dowson (Co-editors), Paula Lacey (Editorial assistant), Samuel Raffnell-Williams (Sound design), Nazik Hamza (Audio Editor), Mari Fouz (Logo Design), Thomas Barlow, Impress (Media consultant)