Ahead in 2024? Abortion, Violence, and the Global Far-Right + Bonus Content
Jan 29, 2024
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Annika Brockschmidt, a journalist, talks about court cases on reproductive rights, violent rhetoric employed by Trump and MAGA Nation, and the far-right's organization around the world. The bonus content dissects Josh Hawley's Christian nationalist manifesto.
Reproductive rights cases in the US, including access to the abortion pill, will be crucial to monitor in 2024.
Trump's violent rhetoric creates a permission structure for potential violence among his supporters and experts warn of isolated acts of terrorism and violence in the future.
Deep dives
Reproductive rights cases in the United States
There are four significant reproductive rights cases in the United States. The Supreme Court ruled in January that Idaho is allowed to deny women life-saving abortions. Two similar cases are set to be heard in April, which will decide if Idaho can violate federal law by denying medically necessary abortions. Another set of cases involves the access to Miffer-Prison, an abortion drug, and will determine until what point in a pregnancy the drug can be administered and how accessible it will be. These cases are crucial for supporters of abortion rights to monitor in 2024.
Trump's rhetoric and ties to violence
Trump has escalated his rhetoric, tying together a desire for violence and retribution against his enemies, along with his legal troubles. He has framed himself as the protector of 'real Americans' and positioned the opposition as a 'deep state' and 'enemies of the people.' This type of rhetoric creates a permission structure for potential violence among his supporters. Experts warn of the potential for isolated acts of terrorism and violence, particularly if Trump is convicted or as the 2024 election approaches.
The GOP's focus on ideological purity and language
The Republican Party is likely to continue its focus on ideological purity and shifting further to the right. A sociologist's research suggests that while Democrats expand their coalition to become more diverse, Republicans are moving in the opposite direction. For Republican leaders to maintain support, they cannot tone down the rhetoric of opposition as mere political disagreement. Their focus on threats, victimization, and the rhetoric of war against their enemies will likely persist into 2024.
Fascist elements and the rise of far-right movements globally
The rise of fascism is not limited to the United States. Similar patterns can be observed globally. Germany, for example, has seen the emergence of right-wing extremist groups, alliances, and rhetoric. A recent secret meeting involving neo-Nazis, politicians, and business figures revealed a plan for the deportation of millions of people from Germany based on ethnic and ideological parameters. This echoes historical fascist ideologies of racial purity and exclusion. However, there are reasons for hope, as mass demonstrations against far-right movements have taken place, showing a united resistance against fascism.
In the first part of this episode, Brad talks with journalist Annika Brockschmidt about what under reported or under the radar things she is watching in 2024. Annika walks through a number of court cases on reproductive rights and what they will mean for access to the abortion pill. She also analyzes the violent rhetoric Trump and MAGA Nation have been employing over the last month through the lens of the history of fascism. Finally, she details how the far-right is organizing around the world - even in her home country of Germany where secret meetings and handshake deals are setting off alarms about fascist impulses in the German public square.
In the bonus content for subscribers, Brad spends 30 minutes dissecting Josh Hawley's Christian nationalist manifesto - explaining why the senator's argument and conclusions are un-American and fearfully puny.
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