Bungacast /469/ Draining Europe ft. Anton Jäger
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Feb 11, 2025 Anton Jäger, an expert on European politics and a contributor to the New York Times, joins Alex and George for a gripping discussion. They explore Belgium's radical right government and why it succeeded despite strong unions and lower inequality. The conversation shifts to the concept of 'hyperpolitics' in the US and questions if it has truly ended. Jäger argues that Europe is imitating authoritarianism from the East while grappling with its own capitalist challenges, suggesting a dramatic shift in the continent's political landscape.
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Belgium's Radical Right
- The radical right's success in Belgium, despite factors like higher union density and lower inequality, is puzzling.
- This success comes later than in countries like the Netherlands or Italy, raising questions about its specific causes.
NVA's Unexpected Rise
- The NVA, a Flemish nationalist party, leads Belgium's new government, despite historically aiming to dismantle the Belgian state.
- Their governmental agreement includes few regionalization promises, contradicting their core mission.
Intra-Right Dynamics
- The NVA's relationship with the more radical Vlaams Belang mirrors Hungary's situation with Fidesz and Jobbik.
- The absence of a strong left-wing threat allowed the more moderate right to absorb or sideline the radical right.