A recent AfD demonstration in Berlin (Omer Messinger/Getty Images)
To understand how the far-Right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) became Germany’s second-largest party, consider the events of the past five days. In an interview with the state broadcaster ZDF on Sunday, Friedrich Merz, the leader of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), made the mistake of suggesting that he would be willing to work in a coalition with the far-Right party. Less than 24 hours later, after facing a barrage of outrage, he was forced into a humiliating U-turn. This is how Germany’s political class hopes to deal with the rise of the AfD: their political resonance is recognised, but any breaking of the cordon sanitaire around them is regarded as dangerous legitimisation.
Much as the mainstream parties have failed to stop it, liberal commentators have also struggled to comprehend the phenomenon. They blame the party’s rise on extraneous factors, from an insufficiently democratic culture in the east (where the AfD enjoys extensive support) to Russian disinformation. A new taboo seems to have been erected around even discussions of the AfD’s popularity, whereby attempting to understand their rise is seen as some kind of endorsement. But the reality is that the party has benefitted from saying out loud the ugly things that others won’t. It would be simpler if the AfD could be shrugged off as another evanescent populist movement. But while gaining from a generalised political dissatisfaction, in their language and rhetoric, they give voice to some fundamental objections to Germany’s political culture — some of which date back to the refounding of the modern nation in 1989.
There are more extremist elements in the party’s ranks which date even further back in Germany’s history. The party was bitterly divided during the pandemic over whether to expel Andreas Kalbitz, an influential former candidate for premier of Brandenburg, when it surfaced that he had been a member of a banned neo-Nazi organisation, German Youths Loyal to the Fatherland. Kalbitz held considerable sway over the party’s more extremist eastern division, whose members were staunchly opposed to his removal. But the AfD’s middle-class libertarian wing in the West insisted on kicking him out; in the end, this more moderate wing had the final say.
Yet today, the party still retains some odious figures. In June, prosecutors in Halle brought charges against Björn Höcke, the incendiary leader of the party’s Thuringia chapter and of its extremist Der Flügel faction, for using the Nazi stormtrooper line “Alles für Deutschland” at a public event in Saxony-Anhalt. And the extremist Right-wing elements within the AfD have increasingly been viewed as a security risk. In 2021, the AfD became the first post-war opposition party to be placed under surveillance by the domestic intelligence agency over fears of extremism.
Despite its Rightwards shift in recent years, the party has only grown more popular. And rather than attributing this to a tradition of neo-Nazi extremism, the reason for the AfD’s proximate rise is more straightforward — and for Germany’s ruling parties, self-inflicted. Above all, the AfD has successfully capitalised on widespread disenchantment with the ruling coalition.
This dissatisfaction is rich and various: there is ample discontent with the coalition’s immigration policies, energy and climate approach, economic policy and foreign policy, especially with respect to the war in Ukraine. Indeed, it seems there is very little that voters are not dissatisfied with, and the little support that the coalition still enjoys stems from simply not being the AfD. After the relative calm of the Merkel years, the back-to-back cataclysms of the pandemic and war in Ukraine have proven crippling for Germany’s political mainstream.
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SubscribeYet another yelp from the “liberal left”. We reap as we sow, Lily.
You fail to understand that your definition of “far right” is so broad that it encompasses the views of anyone who disagrees with you, and so becomes meannigless.
I do agree. When I see some of the ridiculous positions taken by ‘the left’, I suddenly find myself agreeing with the right. Most new insane ideologies have been politicised and those of us protesting are de facto ‘far right’ if not downright ‘Nazi sympathisers’ because the left, rather that look at where they’ve gone wrong, find it more expedient to insult their opposition.
I honestly think the Left/Right idea (and so extreme Left and Extreme Right attempts at demonisation) just doesn’t fit the political scene in the 21st Century.
I think David Goodhart’s model of ‘Somewheres and Anywheres’ is far more useful and effective idea.
It easily explains the rise of ‘Far Right ‘ parties and all the various manifestations of a very deeprooted sea change underway across the Wester democracies, e.g. like seeing a UK Labour party rallying to support the fattest of banking fat cats, because they don’t like the ‘victim’ in the case.
It explains the fracturing of support in Red or Blue Walls and the constantly shifting alliances in modern politics, often between supposed Far Left and Far Right…Uber Conservatives and Socialists.
The ludicrous situation in which Remainers routinely compare a centrist Conservative party here, with, say, the Sweden Democrats, New Dawn in Greece, AFD or VOX just shows how drained of meaning those Left/Right labels have become.
And to criminalise them, as has already happened in Britain, France, Germany, Canada and the US.
I honestly think the Left/Right idea (and so extreme Left and Extreme Right attempts at demonisation) just doesn’t fit the political scene in the 21st Century.
I think David Goodhart’s model of ‘Somewheres and Anywheres’ is far more useful and effective idea.
It easily explains the rise of ‘Far Right ‘ parties and all the various manifestations of a very deeprooted sea change underway across the Wester democracies, e.g. like seeing a UK Labour party rallying to support the fattest of banking fat cats, because they don’t like the ‘victim’ in the case.
It explains the fracturing of support in Red or Blue Walls and the constantly shifting alliances in modern politics, often between supposed Far Left and Far Right…Uber Conservatives and Socialists.
The ludicrous situation in which Remainers routinely compare a centrist Conservative party here, with, say, the Sweden Democrats, New Dawn in Greece, AFD or VOX just shows how drained of meaning those Left/Right labels have become.
And to criminalise them, as has already happened in Britain, France, Germany, Canada and the US.
“however odious the twin rise of the German far-Right and the…”
Really?
From how the author described their policies they sound centre right
Ah, but seem my earlier post. To be “far-right” on the Continent, it suffices to oppose mass immigration from the Muslim world.
Has she not noticed the human rights horrors of the sanctimonious WEFfers?
No, of course she hasn’t. In her metro-left world, it’s opposition to the suspension-by-decree of the rule of law and all the most elementary constitutional and human rights that counts as a ‘horror;.
Having netted a constituency of sceptical-minded, largely ‘Somewhere’ readers, UnHerd is now sliding further to the cosmopolitan halfwit far left every week.
No, of course she hasn’t. In her metro-left world, it’s opposition to the suspension-by-decree of the rule of law and all the most elementary constitutional and human rights that counts as a ‘horror;.
Having netted a constituency of sceptical-minded, largely ‘Somewhere’ readers, UnHerd is now sliding further to the cosmopolitan halfwit far left every week.
Ah, but seem my earlier post. To be “far-right” on the Continent, it suffices to oppose mass immigration from the Muslim world.
Has she not noticed the human rights horrors of the sanctimonious WEFfers?
Oh come on, just resolve to take ‘far-right’ as a compliment. Then you can read the article properly and find that it actually contains a lot of good information and good sense.
I do agree. When I see some of the ridiculous positions taken by ‘the left’, I suddenly find myself agreeing with the right. Most new insane ideologies have been politicised and those of us protesting are de facto ‘far right’ if not downright ‘Nazi sympathisers’ because the left, rather that look at where they’ve gone wrong, find it more expedient to insult their opposition.
“however odious the twin rise of the German far-Right and the…”
Really?
From how the author described their policies they sound centre right
Oh come on, just resolve to take ‘far-right’ as a compliment. Then you can read the article properly and find that it actually contains a lot of good information and good sense.
Yet another yelp from the “liberal left”. We reap as we sow, Lily.
You fail to understand that your definition of “far right” is so broad that it encompasses the views of anyone who disagrees with you, and so becomes meannigless.
If there are no ‘far left’ parties then there are no ‘far right’ parties.
The fact that even this author relies on calling them “far-Right” is chilling and revealing.
As an immigrant, there is absolutely nothing in what’s said by AFD, or in case of UK, Farage, that is “far” right. If anything, even the policies they propose are MORE liberal than most countries in the world.
And, there are, ironically, genuinely far left parties around and increasingly in power.
Destroying the family, mass immigration, “victim” classes, critical race theory, pitting women against men, government and ideological control over media, education and corporates, expansion of the state, use of tactics such as closing bank accounts of political opponents or cancel culture……
Each and every one of these is a staple of “Leftist” parties. And all of these straight out of the book of extremist leftist groups, and commonly seen in communism and fascism.
Amen to that.
It’s the same in Sweden with the casual use of “far-right” to describe the Swedish Democrats who have recently become the second biggest party in parliament. It’s use as a not very subtle sleight in pretty much all mainstream journalism just adds to their popularity and the “us v the establishment” narrative. If the Swedish Democrats and AfD are far-right then so is at least 25% of the electorate in these countries!
And in France, by the same token, more than HALF the electorate (by current polls) are now ‘Far Right’. That’s hardly ‘extremism’ as I understand it.
And in France, by the same token, more than HALF the electorate (by current polls) are now ‘Far Right’. That’s hardly ‘extremism’ as I understand it.
Amen to that.
It’s the same in Sweden with the casual use of “far-right” to describe the Swedish Democrats who have recently become the second biggest party in parliament. It’s use as a not very subtle sleight in pretty much all mainstream journalism just adds to their popularity and the “us v the establishment” narrative. If the Swedish Democrats and AfD are far-right then so is at least 25% of the electorate in these countries!
There certainly are far left parties in Germany. Die Linke is the most mainstream of the far left parties, but near election time you will often see posters for the MLPD (Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany). Nobody shies away from calling these parties far left, because they are. Center left would be SPD and Greens.
On the right there is AfD and of course, further to the right, the NPD (National Democratic Party). In the center right there is the FDP and CDU/CSU.
So, pretty much the whole spectrum is covered.
Unable to speak for Germany, but for the rest of Europe ??
Unable to speak for Germany, but for the rest of Europe ??
Exactly my thoughts. Somehow, today we only have “center-right” (which is actually “center-left”) or we have “far-right” (which is actually just “right”).
The fact that even this author relies on calling them “far-Right” is chilling and revealing.
As an immigrant, there is absolutely nothing in what’s said by AFD, or in case of UK, Farage, that is “far” right. If anything, even the policies they propose are MORE liberal than most countries in the world.
And, there are, ironically, genuinely far left parties around and increasingly in power.
Destroying the family, mass immigration, “victim” classes, critical race theory, pitting women against men, government and ideological control over media, education and corporates, expansion of the state, use of tactics such as closing bank accounts of political opponents or cancel culture……
Each and every one of these is a staple of “Leftist” parties. And all of these straight out of the book of extremist leftist groups, and commonly seen in communism and fascism.
There certainly are far left parties in Germany. Die Linke is the most mainstream of the far left parties, but near election time you will often see posters for the MLPD (Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany). Nobody shies away from calling these parties far left, because they are. Center left would be SPD and Greens.
On the right there is AfD and of course, further to the right, the NPD (National Democratic Party). In the center right there is the FDP and CDU/CSU.
So, pretty much the whole spectrum is covered.
Exactly my thoughts. Somehow, today we only have “center-right” (which is actually “center-left”) or we have “far-right” (which is actually just “right”).
If there are no ‘far left’ parties then there are no ‘far right’ parties.
Twice this author uses the word “virulent” to describe “anti-immigration” and “anti-redistributionist”. Impugning those reasonably objecting to Merkel’s insane, suicidal immigration policies as “anti” is a smear tactic, i.e. anti-vaxxers, anti-trans, etc. Same thing with “denialists”.
They rightly saw their country being invaded by those who are culturally incompatible to it, and their government was confiscating the fruits of their labor, “redistributing” it to whomever was deemed favorable. If anything was virulent, it was – and remains – the government.
Slightly off-piste, but was the late Sinéad O’Connor victim of the virulent vax slaughter we hear so much about?
Anecdote: Just up the street there’s a young German immigrant couple who run an upholstery business. Got my motorcycle’s seat redone by them. Good work, classic German pride in arbeiterkraft. I asked them what they were doing in Canada. Mike answered that his wife was no longer safe in Germany. Why not? He hesitated to answer but confessed that it was because the black/muslim ‘refugees’ who now run unchecked in most German cities consider white women as free for the taking. What about the police? I asked. He said that the policy was to ignore immigrant crime since that kept the statistics where the government wants them. IOW, if it isn’t recorded it isn’t happening. Now, I’d not call Mike ‘virulent’, he’d probably be woke by most metrics, but he doesn’t want his wife raped, either.
A couple of years ago, a pretty young woman made a video in which she discusses the danger to women in Germany. She tearfully asks “Where are all the men? Why wont they protect us?” I’d like to know the answer to that question.
Simple. In Britain a Labour woman MP Dr Edith Summerskill took boxing out of state schools in 1965. Traditionally boys would often receive boxing gloves on the fifth birthday when they started boxing. Then sports such as rugby were removed fom comprehensives.
Chivalry was mocked and ridiculed by left wing women from the 1960s.
Quite so. Bloody Woy Jenkins and all that….
Old ‘enry Cooper once found himself on a TV debate – over banning boxing – with ‘Baroness’ Summerskill, who imperiously demanded: ‘Mr Cooper, have you ever looked at your nose.’
‘Ever looked at yours, Missus?’ he replied. ‘Boxing’s my excuse – what’s yours?’
The ghastly old bag was a member of the Fabian Society. She married one Dr Jeffrey Samuel and their grandson, Ben, became…. Chief Executive of Stonewall. Tickety tick tick tick.
Quite so. Bloody Woy Jenkins and all that….
Old ‘enry Cooper once found himself on a TV debate – over banning boxing – with ‘Baroness’ Summerskill, who imperiously demanded: ‘Mr Cooper, have you ever looked at your nose.’
‘Ever looked at yours, Missus?’ he replied. ‘Boxing’s my excuse – what’s yours?’
The ghastly old bag was a member of the Fabian Society. She married one Dr Jeffrey Samuel and their grandson, Ben, became…. Chief Executive of Stonewall. Tickety tick tick tick.
Simple. In Britain a Labour woman MP Dr Edith Summerskill took boxing out of state schools in 1965. Traditionally boys would often receive boxing gloves on the fifth birthday when they started boxing. Then sports such as rugby were removed fom comprehensives.
Chivalry was mocked and ridiculed by left wing women from the 1960s.
Turning a blind eye to crimes is not limited to lefty governments though. In Australia blocking crime reporting attempts, terrorising public servant witnesses and victims of crimes punishable by 10 years in jail/worse into silent oblivion as in my own experience in Melbourne 2009-current (July 2023) have been standard crime-statistics’ management methods ever since police existed.
Ignoring the crimes of migrants whom Australia imported (is still importing?) from African refugee camps in whole tribes fits into this seamlessly. The bigotry of low expectations combined with white guilt encourages tribes to keep practising their culture in the Australian context with predictable consequences. We are not even safe in our homes behind locked doors at night in million-dollar home suburbs of Melbourne, while our fake crime statistics have earned Melbourne a 3rd place in the list of the world’s most livable cities for 2023.
PS: several of my public LinkedIn posts expressing angst about Australia never having had functional law-enforcement, bikies making billions $ in the drug-trade yearly, and our dismal prospects, given Clare O’Neil’s* incompetent hubris/vanity have disappeared without warning.
Tech, including cyber-tech far beyond what’s known to civilian experts at the time have been used against me since 2009 in an ongoing crime-spree in physical and cyber-space by an ex-coworker stalker organised-crime info source. I never even dated the stalker. Using tech not known to civilian experts in bizarre, seemingly pointless crimes is a long-established crime witness/victim discreditation strategy of Victoria Police officers and their accomplices. See Raymond T. Hoser’s brave publications about Victoria Police corruption.
The disappearance of my public LinkedIn posts that were possibly damaging to the ongoing risk-free operation of Australia’s bikie gangs has nothing to do with bikies doing victory-laps around my home since I discovered the disappearance. Of course not.
As a public servant witness to crimes punishable by 10 years in jail/worse, whom Victoria Police have been trying to silence since 2009, I will continue making public interest disclosures about Australia’s absurd crime reality via every possible platform, until I see positive, material changes to Australia’s crime fighting ability/willingness. Since Australia faked its way into Five Eyes, AUKUS, etc., and the Internet is everywhere, Australia’s lawlessness poses a significant global threat.
#ididnotstaysilent
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katalin-kish-38750b154/
—
* Australia’s Minister for Cyber Security AND Home Affairs no less since mid-2022.
PS: several of my public LinkedIn posts expressing angst about Australia never having had functional law-enforcement, bikies making billions $ in the drug-trade yearly, and our dismal prospects, given Clare O’Neil’s* incompetent hubris/vanity have disappeared without warning.
Tech, including cyber-tech far beyond what’s known to civilian experts at the time have been used against me since 2009 in an ongoing crime-spree in physical and cyber-space by an ex-coworker stalker organised-crime info source. I never even dated the stalker. Using tech not known to civilian experts in bizarre, seemingly pointless crimes is a long-established crime witness/victim discreditation strategy of Victoria Police officers and their accomplices. See Raymond T. Hoser’s brave publications about Victoria Police corruption.
The disappearance of my public LinkedIn posts that were possibly damaging to the ongoing risk-free operation of Australia’s bikie gangs has nothing to do with bikies doing victory-laps around my home since I discovered the disappearance. Of course not.
As a public servant witness to crimes punishable by 10 years in jail/worse, whom Victoria Police have been trying to silence since 2009, I will continue making public interest disclosures about Australia’s absurd crime reality via every possible platform, until I see positive, material changes to Australia’s crime fighting ability/willingness. Since Australia faked its way into Five Eyes, AUKUS, etc., and the Internet is everywhere, Australia’s lawlessness poses a significant global threat.
#ididnotstaysilent
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katalin-kish-38750b154/
—
* Australia’s Minister for Cyber Security AND Home Affairs no less since mid-2022.
I don’t know, judging by what I see in the media here, not wanting your wife raped by cultural enriches counts as pretty virulent these days.
Ironically, Muslims are pouring into Canada as Fidel Castro’s love child beams in approval.
A couple of years ago, a pretty young woman made a video in which she discusses the danger to women in Germany. She tearfully asks “Where are all the men? Why wont they protect us?” I’d like to know the answer to that question.
Turning a blind eye to crimes is not limited to lefty governments though. In Australia blocking crime reporting attempts, terrorising public servant witnesses and victims of crimes punishable by 10 years in jail/worse into silent oblivion as in my own experience in Melbourne 2009-current (July 2023) have been standard crime-statistics’ management methods ever since police existed.
Ignoring the crimes of migrants whom Australia imported (is still importing?) from African refugee camps in whole tribes fits into this seamlessly. The bigotry of low expectations combined with white guilt encourages tribes to keep practising their culture in the Australian context with predictable consequences. We are not even safe in our homes behind locked doors at night in million-dollar home suburbs of Melbourne, while our fake crime statistics have earned Melbourne a 3rd place in the list of the world’s most livable cities for 2023.
I don’t know, judging by what I see in the media here, not wanting your wife raped by cultural enriches counts as pretty virulent these days.
Ironically, Muslims are pouring into Canada as Fidel Castro’s love child beams in approval.
Hear hear!
Now that the author knows Unherd readers are smart enough to see what she is doing, I wonder if she will drop the dog whistling.
Slightly off-piste, but was the late Sinéad O’Connor victim of the virulent vax slaughter we hear so much about?
Anecdote: Just up the street there’s a young German immigrant couple who run an upholstery business. Got my motorcycle’s seat redone by them. Good work, classic German pride in arbeiterkraft. I asked them what they were doing in Canada. Mike answered that his wife was no longer safe in Germany. Why not? He hesitated to answer but confessed that it was because the black/muslim ‘refugees’ who now run unchecked in most German cities consider white women as free for the taking. What about the police? I asked. He said that the policy was to ignore immigrant crime since that kept the statistics where the government wants them. IOW, if it isn’t recorded it isn’t happening. Now, I’d not call Mike ‘virulent’, he’d probably be woke by most metrics, but he doesn’t want his wife raped, either.
Hear hear!
Now that the author knows Unherd readers are smart enough to see what she is doing, I wonder if she will drop the dog whistling.
Twice this author uses the word “virulent” to describe “anti-immigration” and “anti-redistributionist”. Impugning those reasonably objecting to Merkel’s insane, suicidal immigration policies as “anti” is a smear tactic, i.e. anti-vaxxers, anti-trans, etc. Same thing with “denialists”.
They rightly saw their country being invaded by those who are culturally incompatible to it, and their government was confiscating the fruits of their labor, “redistributing” it to whomever was deemed favorable. If anything was virulent, it was – and remains – the government.
Thanks to Ms Lynch for the analysis. There is nothing in the article to explain why the author considers AfD to be “far” right. Non-redistributive, anti-immigration and pro negotiated settlement policies are all right-of-centre.
The article says “the little support that the coalition still enjoys stems from simply not being the AfD.” But does this not work both ways? There is so much cosy consensus between the coalition parties that some AfD support stems from simply not being a “traffic light”.
Everyone who wants to put the indigenous population first and stop illegal migration (especially if you are white) is considered far right these days by the luvvies.
Everyone who wants to put the indigenous population first and stop illegal migration (especially if you are white) is considered far right these days by the luvvies.
Thanks to Ms Lynch for the analysis. There is nothing in the article to explain why the author considers AfD to be “far” right. Non-redistributive, anti-immigration and pro negotiated settlement policies are all right-of-centre.
The article says “the little support that the coalition still enjoys stems from simply not being the AfD.” But does this not work both ways? There is so much cosy consensus between the coalition parties that some AfD support stems from simply not being a “traffic light”.
About this time of year Canadians(that can still afford it) tend to pause incessant complaining about the oppressive summer heat to book their winter vacations in the Caribbean where they enjoy a week or two pause from incessant complaining of the oppressive winter cold. After laying claim to a sun lounger in the pre-dawn hours and in between trips to the buffet and bar (all included naturally), many will make time to frequent the tacky gift shops where one may almost certainly find an ersatz pirate t-shirt that best sums up the insidious tyranny of progressive Know-Betters.
“The beatings will continue until morale improves”
The Leftwaffe bemoans roadblocks on their enlightened journey to unassailable centralized power: Brexit, Trump, Freedom Convoy and the rise of the AfD to name a few. They present these events as an impetus to double down on their ruinous and divisive policies rather than what they really are, a result of their refusal to listen.
Leftwaffe, brilliant.
the whole comment is brilliant
the whole comment is brilliant
Leftwaffe, brilliant.
About this time of year Canadians(that can still afford it) tend to pause incessant complaining about the oppressive summer heat to book their winter vacations in the Caribbean where they enjoy a week or two pause from incessant complaining of the oppressive winter cold. After laying claim to a sun lounger in the pre-dawn hours and in between trips to the buffet and bar (all included naturally), many will make time to frequent the tacky gift shops where one may almost certainly find an ersatz pirate t-shirt that best sums up the insidious tyranny of progressive Know-Betters.
“The beatings will continue until morale improves”
The Leftwaffe bemoans roadblocks on their enlightened journey to unassailable centralized power: Brexit, Trump, Freedom Convoy and the rise of the AfD to name a few. They present these events as an impetus to double down on their ruinous and divisive policies rather than what they really are, a result of their refusal to listen.
It’s odd how many of those mainstream politicians with a self-avowedly liberal progressive Weltanschauung (quite rightly) despise Nazi rhetoric and ideology, but see fit to roll out discriminatory policies, such as a Gesundsheitpass that relies on numbering people individually in single unified system in order to define a reviled out-group; proudly declare their support for every victimised Volksgemeinshaft under the sun based on an apparently unshakeable belief in a racial hierarchy; and trumpet the “common good before the individual good”, invoking fears of an impending apocalypse to justify the overriding of property and other basic human rights for the greater good of future generations. It certainly ain’t totalitarianism’s first rodeo.
Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. In Germany, as elsewhere, unless our so-called mainstream political elites wake themselves up out of this stupor and their mindless, unthinking, banal evil, the “extreme” end of the AfD and their ilk of today are going to look like wanton children smashing up their toys compared with what comes next.
It’s odd how many of those mainstream politicians with a self-avowedly liberal progressive Weltanschauung (quite rightly) despise Nazi rhetoric and ideology, but see fit to roll out discriminatory policies, such as a Gesundsheitpass that relies on numbering people individually in single unified system in order to define a reviled out-group; proudly declare their support for every victimised Volksgemeinshaft under the sun based on an apparently unshakeable belief in a racial hierarchy; and trumpet the “common good before the individual good”, invoking fears of an impending apocalypse to justify the overriding of property and other basic human rights for the greater good of future generations. It certainly ain’t totalitarianism’s first rodeo.
Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. In Germany, as elsewhere, unless our so-called mainstream political elites wake themselves up out of this stupor and their mindless, unthinking, banal evil, the “extreme” end of the AfD and their ilk of today are going to look like wanton children smashing up their toys compared with what comes next.
Far Right? How is wanting to stop rapid societal change far right? You’re losing my respect fast as a source of valid journalism. Slack, lazy and trite.
Far Right? How is wanting to stop rapid societal change far right? You’re losing my respect fast as a source of valid journalism. Slack, lazy and trite.
The establishment party’s across the West will be in denial to the last voter, and then wail that the voters just didn’t understand.
As a last resort – always blame the voters 🙂 Much the same as those fools who voted for Brexit, they need to be taught a lesson for voting the wrong way?
parties
Ah the naive concept of “voters” deciding anything! Perhaps you are right. The $billion business of election-rigging may not be as finessed as it is in the USA.
As a last resort – always blame the voters 🙂 Much the same as those fools who voted for Brexit, they need to be taught a lesson for voting the wrong way?
parties
Ah the naive concept of “voters” deciding anything! Perhaps you are right. The $billion business of election-rigging may not be as finessed as it is in the USA.
The establishment party’s across the West will be in denial to the last voter, and then wail that the voters just didn’t understand.
I suspect that it was a major political mistake for the other parties to refuse to work with the AfD. Firstly because the AfD could have become somewhat moderated from their more ambitious policies, and secondly the cordon sanitaire won’t hold while the AfD maintain sufficient voter support. It’ll be too tempting for another party to grab some additional political power over their rivals in a coalition.
It would be so easy for the AfD to claim (with some justification) that their supporters’ representation has been frozen out by a cosy political elite.
The Germans are too spooked by what happened when a mainstream party agreed to work with the National Socialists in 1933. It there’s one thing they can’t be seen doing again, it’s that, because of the fears of where it would lead. And back then few people saw what cooperating with Hitler really meant. However the AfD is different from the Nazis, it’s just a big No-No for Germany. And their fear of people being “blind auf der rechten Auge” blinds them to any danger from anywhere else. It’s understandably tricky.
The Germans are too spooked by what happened when a mainstream party agreed to work with the National Socialists in 1933. It there’s one thing they can’t be seen doing again, it’s that, because of the fears of where it would lead. And back then few people saw what cooperating with Hitler really meant. However the AfD is different from the Nazis, it’s just a big No-No for Germany. And their fear of people being “blind auf der rechten Auge” blinds them to any danger from anywhere else. It’s understandably tricky.
I suspect that it was a major political mistake for the other parties to refuse to work with the AfD. Firstly because the AfD could have become somewhat moderated from their more ambitious policies, and secondly the cordon sanitaire won’t hold while the AfD maintain sufficient voter support. It’ll be too tempting for another party to grab some additional political power over their rivals in a coalition.
It would be so easy for the AfD to claim (with some justification) that their supporters’ representation has been frozen out by a cosy political elite.
“Cordon Sanitaire” indeed, The Far-Right label has been quite effective (and often used by the MSM) in protecting “progressive” sentiments and policy for decades now. I welcome this ideological wall crumbling away.
“Cordon Sanitaire” indeed, The Far-Right label has been quite effective (and often used by the MSM) in protecting “progressive” sentiments and policy for decades now. I welcome this ideological wall crumbling away.
It would appear that west Germany did not appreciate that the education and technical skills of the vast majority of East Germans would make it very difficult for them to find employment in high tech precision manufacturing. The same mistake was made with immigrants.
When the Huguenots who were silk weavers and bankers fled France for Britain, they wereProtestants who were the most highly skilled workers in Europe, hence they prospered.
In order to train someone to work in high tech manufacturing that person must realise the vital importance of precision, accuracy and repeatability. Those with a slap dash approach, near enough is good enough mentality cannot be trained. East Germany was Prussia, a rural province and then was ruled by the communists: there has never been a tradition of precision engineering. If one looks at Bavaria, they were making precision clocks long before they made cars.
People can change but they need have the benefit explained to them and the consequences of not changing.
Ben Rich complained about a very similar problem in his book Skunk Works. As is well known the Skunk Works was the high end R&D unit of Lockheed founded by Kelly Johnson, staffed by a true technical elite and credited with world beating aeronautical innovation.
Unfortunately, political interference was all but inevitable and during Ben Rich’s time as head of the Skunk Works he was pressured into lowering its very high standards in order to provide career opportunities for sub-par immigrant technicians.
Thank you. I will look out for Skunk Works. The result of the Schneider Trophy was that J R Mitchell at Supermarine had the best group of engineers in the World who understood high speed aircraft design.
It is quality not quantity which counts when one is at the forefront of anything, be it technology or the armed forces.
Plenty of rather second rate T-34’s & Shermans managed to “see off” the few Tigers and Panthers that opposed them.
A clear triumph of quantity OVER quality.
The T-34s were well designed , the sloping armour in particular and they were easy to maintain. Until the Shermans carried the 17 pounder they were fairly hopeless. The 17 pounder was one of the few pieces of British army equipment which was well designed.
The Tiger was too heavy and over designed, it needed vast amounts of repair facilities.Most generals would have preferred more Mark IVs or Panthers to The Tigers. What is ignored is the mintenance aspects, fuel consumption and the logistics required to supply the parts.
Despite what say the T-34 was no real march for either the Tiger or the Panther.
As to the Allies in Norman, according to Oberst Schneider* the Tiger ‘knocked out’ about 500 allied tanks for the loss of about 40 of its own, in ‘Tank on Tank’ actions.
The Sherman ‘Firefly’ was, as you imply, the equal the Tiger but ‘we’ didn’t have nearly enough of them.
(* Tigers in Normandy.2011.)
The Sherman was a triumph of design. Its cast hull in particular.
It was powered by petrol and caught fire easily when hit.” Brewed up ” was the expression.
Wasn’t it nicknamed the ‘Ronson’ :
“LIGHTS FIRST TIME”?
Wasn’t it nicknamed the ‘Ronson’ :
“LIGHTS FIRST TIME”?
And it took The Foot Guards and the formation of The Guards Armoured Division to show the cavalry and tankies how it should be done…
It was powered by petrol and caught fire easily when hit.” Brewed up ” was the expression.
And it took The Foot Guards and the formation of The Guards Armoured Division to show the cavalry and tankies how it should be done…
Despite what say the T-34 was no real march for either the Tiger or the Panther.
As to the Allies in Norman, according to Oberst Schneider* the Tiger ‘knocked out’ about 500 allied tanks for the loss of about 40 of its own, in ‘Tank on Tank’ actions.
The Sherman ‘Firefly’ was, as you imply, the equal the Tiger but ‘we’ didn’t have nearly enough of them.
(* Tigers in Normandy.2011.)
The Sherman was a triumph of design. Its cast hull in particular.
The T-34s were well designed , the sloping armour in particular and they were easy to maintain. Until the Shermans carried the 17 pounder they were fairly hopeless. The 17 pounder was one of the few pieces of British army equipment which was well designed.
The Tiger was too heavy and over designed, it needed vast amounts of repair facilities.Most generals would have preferred more Mark IVs or Panthers to The Tigers. What is ignored is the mintenance aspects, fuel consumption and the logistics required to supply the parts.
Plenty of rather second rate T-34’s & Shermans managed to “see off” the few Tigers and Panthers that opposed them.
A clear triumph of quantity OVER quality.
Thank you. I will look out for Skunk Works. The result of the Schneider Trophy was that J R Mitchell at Supermarine had the best group of engineers in the World who understood high speed aircraft design.
It is quality not quantity which counts when one is at the forefront of anything, be it technology or the armed forces.
By 1870 Berlin based Borsig-Werke was the largest manufacturer of steam locomotives in Europe.
From 1830, Prussia controlled the Ruhr from where heavy engineering evolved.
1815 surely?
Your date is closer than mine, it was Congress of Vienna in 1814 when Prussia obtained Rhineland.
Your date is closer than mine, it was Congress of Vienna in 1814 when Prussia obtained Rhineland.
1815 surely?
From 1830, Prussia controlled the Ruhr from where heavy engineering evolved.
“if one looks at Bavaria, they were making precision clocks long before they made cars”
Didn’t Bismarck say a Bavarian is halfway between an Austrian* and a human being?
(* Some say it was Alsatian.)
He may have done but the Prussians were no good at precision engineering.
‘They’ made up for it with an excellent‘General Staff’ that had little trouble in defeating the rest of Germany including Austria and Bavaria, as well as Denmark and ultimately France.
I should have said from 1814 Prussia controlled the industrial out put of the Rhineland and as you point out, had a superb general staff. K Adenaurer said Prussia would not have been a problem if they had not been given the Rhineland in 1814 as this area produced the weapons.
This returns to the problem of Germany , the west along the Rhine is hard working, technically advanced and earns money from exports. The rest of Germany spends the money and Berlin makes catastrophic decisions which cripple Germany’s industry. All rather similar to when Prussia ran Germany.
I should have said from 1814 Prussia controlled the industrial out put of the Rhineland and as you point out, had a superb general staff. K Adenaurer said Prussia would not have been a problem if they had not been given the Rhineland in 1814 as this area produced the weapons.
This returns to the problem of Germany , the west along the Rhine is hard working, technically advanced and earns money from exports. The rest of Germany spends the money and Berlin makes catastrophic decisions which cripple Germany’s industry. All rather similar to when Prussia ran Germany.
‘They’ made up for it with an excellent‘General Staff’ that had little trouble in defeating the rest of Germany including Austria and Bavaria, as well as Denmark and ultimately France.
He may have done but the Prussians were no good at precision engineering.
I let dozens of contracts while in the EU where former East German citizens found themselves excluded because of their high day rates, outside the EU’s then ‘fourchette’.1000 euro costs per day for engineering was normal. Distressed guys would tell me, but thus is what the West Ge4mans pay us, a wage way above the market rate at the time. And why no analysis of the decision to make the two currencies equal! At an inconceivably high financial cost to Western Germany.
Blame it on Kohl. German politicians have damaged the German economy since 1990. When politicians play politics with industry there will be trouble.
” Purple Helmut” as he was known….
” Purple Helmut” as he was known….
Blame it on Kohl. German politicians have damaged the German economy since 1990. When politicians play politics with industry there will be trouble.
Ben Rich complained about a very similar problem in his book Skunk Works. As is well known the Skunk Works was the high end R&D unit of Lockheed founded by Kelly Johnson, staffed by a true technical elite and credited with world beating aeronautical innovation.
Unfortunately, political interference was all but inevitable and during Ben Rich’s time as head of the Skunk Works he was pressured into lowering its very high standards in order to provide career opportunities for sub-par immigrant technicians.
By 1870 Berlin based Borsig-Werke was the largest manufacturer of steam locomotives in Europe.
“if one looks at Bavaria, they were making precision clocks long before they made cars”
Didn’t Bismarck say a Bavarian is halfway between an Austrian* and a human being?
(* Some say it was Alsatian.)
I let dozens of contracts while in the EU where former East German citizens found themselves excluded because of their high day rates, outside the EU’s then ‘fourchette’.1000 euro costs per day for engineering was normal. Distressed guys would tell me, but thus is what the West Ge4mans pay us, a wage way above the market rate at the time. And why no analysis of the decision to make the two currencies equal! At an inconceivably high financial cost to Western Germany.
It would appear that west Germany did not appreciate that the education and technical skills of the vast majority of East Germans would make it very difficult for them to find employment in high tech precision manufacturing. The same mistake was made with immigrants.
When the Huguenots who were silk weavers and bankers fled France for Britain, they wereProtestants who were the most highly skilled workers in Europe, hence they prospered.
In order to train someone to work in high tech manufacturing that person must realise the vital importance of precision, accuracy and repeatability. Those with a slap dash approach, near enough is good enough mentality cannot be trained. East Germany was Prussia, a rural province and then was ruled by the communists: there has never been a tradition of precision engineering. If one looks at Bavaria, they were making precision clocks long before they made cars.
People can change but they need have the benefit explained to them and the consequences of not changing.
“Founded as a free-market Eurosceptic party at the pinnacle of the euro crisis in 2013”
It should be noted that it was not even Eurosceptic, that is EU-sceptic, in the British sense. It was simply opposed to the Euro as a piece of grandiose economic folly, and in particular Germany’s membership of it.
“Founded as a free-market Eurosceptic party at the pinnacle of the euro crisis in 2013”
It should be noted that it was not even Eurosceptic, that is EU-sceptic, in the British sense. It was simply opposed to the Euro as a piece of grandiose economic folly, and in particular Germany’s membership of it.
The liberal left abuses, insults and disadvantages the common man with every breath it draws and every action it takes. Where is their mandate for admitting a million immigrants? Where us their popular vote for the increasing criminalisation of freedom of speech?
A pox upon the left.
Of course, you mean the ‘far-left’. Best to call things by their proper names.
Of course, you mean the ‘far-left’. Best to call things by their proper names.
The liberal left abuses, insults and disadvantages the common man with every breath it draws and every action it takes. Where is their mandate for admitting a million immigrants? Where us their popular vote for the increasing criminalisation of freedom of speech?
A pox upon the left.
All this verbiage to obfuscate one simple fact: mass immigration makes rich people richer by making poor people poorer. It’s the most basic kind of class war. It’s why the Labour Party was founded 130 years ago. It’s that simple: start a war and sooner or later the people you are waging it against will fight back.
All this verbiage to obfuscate one simple fact: mass immigration makes rich people richer by making poor people poorer. It’s the most basic kind of class war. It’s why the Labour Party was founded 130 years ago. It’s that simple: start a war and sooner or later the people you are waging it against will fight back.
I stop reading when I see ‘far right’ unless they refer to the identitarian progressives as ‘far left’. Many right populist policies were centrist common sense for much of the post war period. Progressive policies on gender and family on the other hand would have made Alexandra kollintai blush
I stop reading when I see ‘far right’ unless they refer to the identitarian progressives as ‘far left’. Many right populist policies were centrist common sense for much of the post war period. Progressive policies on gender and family on the other hand would have made Alexandra kollintai blush
I’m currently reading Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s ‘Prey’. If what she reports about the situation in Germany is accurate, viz migrants, the immigration and asylum system, crime and sexual assaults, the willful blindness of the political mainstream and the inadequacy of law enforcement and the judiciary, then the increasing popularity of the AfD is no surprise. Calling them ‘far-right’ is a cry-wolf epithet that – as elsewhere – has increasingly less traction with voters; because people see it for what it is – a lame attempt by the establishment to deflect from the responsibility that they have for the current dire situation, and their own inability and (often unwillingness) to do anything about it.
I’m currently reading Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s ‘Prey’. If what she reports about the situation in Germany is accurate, viz migrants, the immigration and asylum system, crime and sexual assaults, the willful blindness of the political mainstream and the inadequacy of law enforcement and the judiciary, then the increasing popularity of the AfD is no surprise. Calling them ‘far-right’ is a cry-wolf epithet that – as elsewhere – has increasingly less traction with voters; because people see it for what it is – a lame attempt by the establishment to deflect from the responsibility that they have for the current dire situation, and their own inability and (often unwillingness) to do anything about it.
Ms. Lynch carefully avoids saying what every literate, not ideologically captured German voter knows but no-one in the German mainstream parties or the press dare say: Germany is being de-industrialised because Germany, under NATO pressure, renounced cheap, reliable, and plentiful Russian pipeline natural gas, and just to make sure Germany did not waver, the US blew up the Nord Stream pipeline.
There is German word for this blind, suicidal loyalty: Nibelungentreue. And any halfway educated German knows where it leads.
Ich weiß and I agree with this point. BTW my first name is really Brunhilde
Achtung Spitfeur…Donner und Blitzen….
Achtung Spitfeur…Donner und Blitzen….
Ukraine blew it up with help from the Poles. Lyin’ Joe Biden the half-wit was tipped to the plan and charateristically blew their cover to show how in on things he is.
Ich weiß and I agree with this point. BTW my first name is really Brunhilde
Ukraine blew it up with help from the Poles. Lyin’ Joe Biden the half-wit was tipped to the plan and charateristically blew their cover to show how in on things he is.
Ms. Lynch carefully avoids saying what every literate, not ideologically captured German voter knows but no-one in the German mainstream parties or the press dare say: Germany is being de-industrialised because Germany, under NATO pressure, renounced cheap, reliable, and plentiful Russian pipeline natural gas, and just to make sure Germany did not waver, the US blew up the Nord Stream pipeline.
There is German word for this blind, suicidal loyalty: Nibelungentreue. And any halfway educated German knows where it leads.
The third link “Russian Disinformation’ has so many unsubstantiated claims it is laughable.
Just like the Hunter Biden laptop is Russian disinformation, eh!
The third link “Russian Disinformation’ has so many unsubstantiated claims it is laughable.
Just like the Hunter Biden laptop is Russian disinformation, eh!
What would be interesting would to compare how Germans who came from Poland/Prussia and those from the Sudetenland compared post WW2.
If Germany supported nuclear and Shale Gas it’s problems would be solved. It probably has the largest workforce with advanced manufacturing skills in the World and research capability( Fraunhofer Institutes ) geared towards industry. Many firms are family owned, plan for years ahead and plough profits into R and D not dividends. Germany has developed manufacturing in Slovakia which increases it’s industrial base.
If Germany copied it’s industrial strategy of 1948 to 1963 most of it’s problems would disappear.
Not entirely a fair comparison, because the refugees from Poland and Russia ( the Volga Germans) suffered such terrible losses on their trek to the West that only the young and physically fit survived. 6 million died out of 18 million refugees. Sudeten Germans, no figures, but Theresienstadt was no picnic for them.
I was refering to skills.
I was refering to skills.
Not entirely a fair comparison, because the refugees from Poland and Russia ( the Volga Germans) suffered such terrible losses on their trek to the West that only the young and physically fit survived. 6 million died out of 18 million refugees. Sudeten Germans, no figures, but Theresienstadt was no picnic for them.
What would be interesting would to compare how Germans who came from Poland/Prussia and those from the Sudetenland compared post WW2.
If Germany supported nuclear and Shale Gas it’s problems would be solved. It probably has the largest workforce with advanced manufacturing skills in the World and research capability( Fraunhofer Institutes ) geared towards industry. Many firms are family owned, plan for years ahead and plough profits into R and D not dividends. Germany has developed manufacturing in Slovakia which increases it’s industrial base.
If Germany copied it’s industrial strategy of 1948 to 1963 most of it’s problems would disappear.
Yes, to sum up – voters voting for whoever they want to vote for can still be simultaneously, ‘anti-democratic’
Yes, to sum up – voters voting for whoever they want to vote for can still be simultaneously, ‘anti-democratic’
‘Far-right’ is such an imprecise term. How far? Let’s say that 1 is far left, and 10 is far right, for example. That said, where do you place the AfD, and why? And while you’re at it, give me a few examples of a ‘far-left’ organization or party, that mythical group that somehow no one has ever seen or heard of. If ‘far-right’ exists, then it follows that ‘far-left’ also exists, and yet we never hear about ‘far-left’ groups. I wonder why not?
‘Far-right’ is such an imprecise term. How far? Let’s say that 1 is far left, and 10 is far right, for example. That said, where do you place the AfD, and why? And while you’re at it, give me a few examples of a ‘far-left’ organization or party, that mythical group that somehow no one has ever seen or heard of. If ‘far-right’ exists, then it follows that ‘far-left’ also exists, and yet we never hear about ‘far-left’ groups. I wonder why not?
Well, there were three “Nazi” and five “far-right” pejoratives in the piece.
What this world needs is pejorative to describe regime-adjacent (or should we say regime-tainted?) writers that use pejoratives to describe the ordinary middle class and its desire for an ordinary life.
You Latin scholars know that “pejorare” means “making things worse.”
Well, there were three “Nazi” and five “far-right” pejoratives in the piece.
What this world needs is pejorative to describe regime-adjacent (or should we say regime-tainted?) writers that use pejoratives to describe the ordinary middle class and its desire for an ordinary life.
You Latin scholars know that “pejorare” means “making things worse.”
I read the article anticipating “far right” policy stances from the AfD and I’m none the wiser.
I read the article anticipating “far right” policy stances from the AfD and I’m none the wiser.
That “Alles fuer Deutschland” was a “Nazi Stormtrooper line” is indeed correct. But it certainly is among the lesser known slogans of the Nazi regime, to the point that very likely neither Hoecke (a former history teacher) nor his audience were aware of its historical use. Moreover, it was by no means common knowledge that using this phrase is illegal. Even Wikipedia made no mention of its illegality until November 24th 2021, the day reports about the lifting of Hoecke’s immunity appeared.
Much more concerning than Hoecke’s potentially inadvertent use of a little known Nazi slogan are his tendencies to pander to socialism and his fight for the “little man” against “the elites”. Such a combination of two collectivist ideologies (nationalism and socialism) is deeply worrisome. A sizable share of the East German AfD has by no means “always been a virulently anti-redistributionist party”, as Ms. Lynch claims. However, Hoecke does not represent the AfD at the national level, and the article is in so far correct as the majority of the AfD, in particular their founders in former West Germany, subscribe to free markets and libertarian concepts.
That “Alles fuer Deutschland” was a “Nazi Stormtrooper line” is indeed correct. But it certainly is among the lesser known slogans of the Nazi regime, to the point that very likely neither Hoecke (a former history teacher) nor his audience were aware of its historical use. Moreover, it was by no means common knowledge that using this phrase is illegal. Even Wikipedia made no mention of its illegality until November 24th 2021, the day reports about the lifting of Hoecke’s immunity appeared.
Much more concerning than Hoecke’s potentially inadvertent use of a little known Nazi slogan are his tendencies to pander to socialism and his fight for the “little man” against “the elites”. Such a combination of two collectivist ideologies (nationalism and socialism) is deeply worrisome. A sizable share of the East German AfD has by no means “always been a virulently anti-redistributionist party”, as Ms. Lynch claims. However, Hoecke does not represent the AfD at the national level, and the article is in so far correct as the majority of the AfD, in particular their founders in former West Germany, subscribe to free markets and libertarian concepts.
I’ve read AfD’s 94 page manifesto.
Here’s it in shorthand, and I have marked with an * all positions that are shared by the UK’s Brexiters, and, for the crack, I have indicated with a double forward slash those of their policies I’d support:
Representative democracy out; referendums in*
Divide W. Europe: EU out, Euro out*; D-mark back
Make weapons easier to obtain for ordinary people*
Weaken NATO* and strengthen the German army
Make it easier to sack people*
Larger familes instead of immigration* //
Public sector broadcasting out*
Islam out* //
Ban trans ideology* //
Pro cash; cut taxes*
Scrap environmental protections; ban wind power; more fracking*
You can see why the average Unherder would love them; as the outpouring of AfD love in the comments reveals.
Sounds like the German industrial miracle of 1948 to 1963.
If the Reform party put Farage back in charge, picked up a dozen non ” Toylitte settee serviette” Tory defectors and adopted the same policies, they would win 60% + of all votes at the next election…
Sounds like the German industrial miracle of 1948 to 1963.
If the Reform party put Farage back in charge, picked up a dozen non ” Toylitte settee serviette” Tory defectors and adopted the same policies, they would win 60% + of all votes at the next election…
I’ve read AfD’s 94 page manifesto.
Here’s it in shorthand, and I have marked with an * all positions that are shared by the UK’s Brexiters, and, for the crack, I have indicated with a double forward slash those of their policies I’d support:
Representative democracy out; referendums in*
Divide W. Europe: EU out, Euro out*; D-mark back
Make weapons easier to obtain for ordinary people*
Weaken NATO* and strengthen the German army
Make it easier to sack people*
Larger familes instead of immigration* //
Public sector broadcasting out*
Islam out* //
Ban trans ideology* //
Pro cash; cut taxes*
Scrap environmental protections; ban wind power; more fracking*
You can see why the average Unherder would love them; as the outpouring of AfD love in the comments reveals.
AfD is a consequence of Lily and all the liberal Lilys of the field, most of whom are Marxist. Hitler ascribed his own rise to a simple inversion of the self-flagellating policies of the German Marxists, replacing self-harm with self-confidence. We know his perversion of that self-confidence led to peak self-harm. But are there really no lessons to be learned from that experience? Say, about the value of genuine, self-confident classic liberalism, versus kultural Marxism?
Mr Hilter of Monty Python fame?
And let’s not forget ‘Dad’s Army’. One of the greats of comedy, though not many people realise that he got his start in advertising, by studying American advertising. Then segued into film, operatic advertising melodramas, then real war documentaries. After his death, people re-discovered him as a comedic figure, just as you say. Perhaps the real tragedy was in not becoming a stand-up comedian during his own lifetime.
And let’s not forget ‘Dad’s Army’. One of the greats of comedy, though not many people realise that he got his start in advertising, by studying American advertising. Then segued into film, operatic advertising melodramas, then real war documentaries. After his death, people re-discovered him as a comedic figure, just as you say. Perhaps the real tragedy was in not becoming a stand-up comedian during his own lifetime.
Mr Hilter of Monty Python fame?
AfD is a consequence of Lily and all the liberal Lilys of the field, most of whom are Marxist. Hitler ascribed his own rise to a simple inversion of the self-flagellating policies of the German Marxists, replacing self-harm with self-confidence. We know his perversion of that self-confidence led to peak self-harm. But are there really no lessons to be learned from that experience? Say, about the value of genuine, self-confident classic liberalism, versus kultural Marxism?
How interesting that no one addresses the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Since at least the 1960s, the left/liberals/progressives/whatever term they come up with next to describe themselves, have essentially gained control throughout western civilization. They now largely control vast numbers of political parties, most of the entertainment industries, the MSM, and virtually all of academia.
That the pendulum would reverse course could have been predicted with almost virtual certainty. We are witnessing it now, with the growth of populist politicians, and political parties. Advancement of a more conservative agenda, whether labeled right/far right/supremacists/whatever other pejorative the main stream media comes up with, was an inevitability.
The left/liberals/progressives/whatever… agenda of harmful immigration protocols, identity politics, advancement of sexual indoctrination, censorship, lockdowns, often ludicrous advancement of “green” policies, and miscellaneous decadence, have been crossing a Rubicon, albeit in somewhat slow motion, for quite some time. The rise of individuals like Le Pen, Meloni, Kaczyński, Orban, & even Trump, et al; and parties, such as the Sweden Democrats, VOX, AfD, the BBB, et al, were not merely predictable, but ineluctable.
Meanwhile, as in the fall of Rome, the barbarians at the gates watch with great interest, and anticipation. The future, now, as then, appears predictable.
How interesting that no one addresses the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Since at least the 1960s, the left/liberals/progressives/whatever term they come up with next to describe themselves, have essentially gained control throughout western civilization. They now largely control vast numbers of political parties, most of the entertainment industries, the MSM, and virtually all of academia.
That the pendulum would reverse course could have been predicted with almost virtual certainty. We are witnessing it now, with the growth of populist politicians, and political parties. Advancement of a more conservative agenda, whether labeled right/far right/supremacists/whatever other pejorative the main stream media comes up with, was an inevitability.
The left/liberals/progressives/whatever… agenda of harmful immigration protocols, identity politics, advancement of sexual indoctrination, censorship, lockdowns, often ludicrous advancement of “green” policies, and miscellaneous decadence, have been crossing a Rubicon, albeit in somewhat slow motion, for quite some time. The rise of individuals like Le Pen, Meloni, Kaczyński, Orban, & even Trump, et al; and parties, such as the Sweden Democrats, VOX, AfD, the BBB, et al, were not merely predictable, but ineluctable.
Meanwhile, as in the fall of Rome, the barbarians at the gates watch with great interest, and anticipation. The future, now, as then, appears predictable.
The writer’s tell-tale use of ‘far-right” and a fair sprinkling of “virulent” puts her on the left and maybe even the “far-left.”
The writer’s tell-tale use of ‘far-right” and a fair sprinkling of “virulent” puts her on the left and maybe even the “far-left.”
Of course, in continental Europe, a perfect classical liberal or a even a moderate socialist, who has noticed that every fiqh of Islamic Sharia is deeply illiberal, and as a result concludes, and publicly states, that Europe should curtail immigration from the Muslim world is automatically declared to be “far-right”,utterly beyond the pale, and to be kept as far from the levers of power as possible.
It is unclear to me from whence the Islamophilia of the European mainstream derived. For the Left, which had been anti-Christian (or Antichristian?) since the attempted genocide in the Vendee during the French Revolution, Islam might be an enemy-of-my-enemy, but why the Christian Democrats and their analogues in other European countries also seem to be Islamophiles is completely mysterious.
Of course, in continental Europe, a perfect classical liberal or a even a moderate socialist, who has noticed that every fiqh of Islamic Sharia is deeply illiberal, and as a result concludes, and publicly states, that Europe should curtail immigration from the Muslim world is automatically declared to be “far-right”,utterly beyond the pale, and to be kept as far from the levers of power as possible.
It is unclear to me from whence the Islamophilia of the European mainstream derived. For the Left, which had been anti-Christian (or Antichristian?) since the attempted genocide in the Vendee during the French Revolution, Islam might be an enemy-of-my-enemy, but why the Christian Democrats and their analogues in other European countries also seem to be Islamophiles is completely mysterious.
The writer’s tell-tale use of “far-right” and a fair sprinkling of “virulent” puts her on the left and maybe even the “far-left.”
The writer’s tell-tale use of “far-right” and a fair sprinkling of “virulent” puts her on the left and maybe even the “far-left.”
One word – Greens
One word – Greens
So… it is, apparently, self-evident that uttering the slogan “Alles für Deutschland” – “All for Germany” is ‘odious’. Because it was an NSDAP slogan, it is now, supposedly, contaminated and criminal till the end of time? A simple, generic patriotic slogan? How bizarre. Hitler was allegedly vegetarian: should Germany ban vegetables? The SS wore black: should Germany ban black fabric (and the letter S)?
So… it is, apparently, self-evident that uttering the slogan “Alles für Deutschland” – “All for Germany” is ‘odious’. Because it was an NSDAP slogan, it is now, supposedly, contaminated and criminal till the end of time? A simple, generic patriotic slogan? How bizarre. Hitler was allegedly vegetarian: should Germany ban vegetables? The SS wore black: should Germany ban black fabric (and the letter S)?
This article is trashy, filled with unproven slurs against the AfD. Not exactly a shining light in the starfield of articles that Unherd has put out so far.
This article is trashy, filled with unproven slurs against the AfD. Not exactly a shining light in the starfield of articles that Unherd has put out so far.
..
..
Arminius, Luther, Bismark & The Wee Chap With The ‘Tache. At the Headingly Test a light aircraft over-flew the ground with an advertising banner. On the other side a wry comment against serial cheats: “Same Old Aussies”. Same Old Germans.
Arminius, Luther, Bismark & The Wee Chap With The ‘Tache. At the Headingly Test a light aircraft over-flew the ground with an advertising banner. On the other side a wry comment against serial cheats: “Same Old Aussies”. Same Old Germans.
I’m starting to look back on Tony Blair’s time with nostalgia. I’d get myself on Corbyn’s electoral roll and vote for him just to embarrass Starmer.
I’m starting to look back on Tony Blair’s time with nostalgia. I’d get myself on Corbyn’s electoral roll and vote for him just to embarrass Starmer.