Rev Left Radio The Great Replacement Theory: Reactionary Politics & Racist Conspiracy Thinking
Jul 29, 2024
Luiz Manuel Hernandez Aguilar, a researcher focused on racism and conspiracy theories, teams up with Sarah Bracke, a sociology professor investigating the 'Muslim question' in Europe. They dive into the Great Replacement Theory, exploring its roots in historical fears of demographic change. The discussion reveals how this theory fuels racial ideologies and right-wing politics, tying into anti-immigrant sentiment. They also address the dangers of conspiracy narratives and the need for nuanced dialogues around identity and power dynamics in today's society.
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Genealogy of Replacement Theories
- Modern replacement theories have roots in racialized thinking and anxieties about national identity.
- These theories are expressed through concerns about immigration, birth rates, and the perceived threat to Western civilization.
Transnational Nature of Replacement Theory
- Replacement theory often operates within a national context, but it also draws on broader concepts like "Western civilization."
- This allows for transnational organization and mobilization of far-right movements.
Israel, Antisemitism, and Replacement Theory
- Support for Israel among far-right groups often coexists with antisemitism.
- This seeming contradiction stems from seeing Israel as a bulwark against the Muslim world and the belief in Jewish globalist conspiracies.