That’s what you get when you vote dumb fascist politicians into power. I bet it’s not the first time some erratic explanation was given from one of those right wing politicians.
Yes, agreeable (I would not have used those words though, the real danger is not in this minister nor in his party). But why do you think they were elected in the first place and why is their consensus soaring day after day? Are people just “dumb”? Misinformation? Distrust of more moderate parties who did nothing to prevent the current crisis? This is a place for discussion.
Well, since we see a surge of right-wing parties in all western countries, I would say they are doing something right. Populism seems to work on a large slice of the population. Offering apparently easy solutions, blaming scapegoats and fueling a culture war combined with media articles, that get written for the most clicks, are a winning recipe for the right.
Offering simple solutions to complex problems, especially if those “total solutions” can not be verified because their goal is unreachable has its point as an explanation. Scapegoating too, since it gives the illusion of freedom from responsibility (it’s cheaper to blame immigrants/LGBT rather than assume one’s own responsibilities e.g. for climate disaster). But to me there’s more: in Italy we passed from a radical left populism (M5S) to radical right populism (Lega/FdI) with the pandemic in between. Shouldn’t people realize that simple solutions do not work?
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Provocative: Offering simplistic solutions in an ever-complex world.
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Missed Opportunities: Failure to reform parliamentary and democratic institutions, as seen in Renzi’s unsuccessful attempt.
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Post-2008 Fallout: Economic challenges exacerbated by Germany’s austerity policies, evident during the Covid pandemic.
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Middle-Class Struggles: Ignored or worsened by neoliberal reforms, coupled with challenges of an aging society.
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Disinformation Game: Undemocratic players like Russia and China exploit Western disparities to destabilize opinions.
In summary, it’s a confluence of economic, ecological, and political challenges ignored for years. Neoliberal and conservative leaders failed to prepare the public for these fast-approaching changes. The current era of transformation is overwhelming, with parties seeking change challenging the status quo.
Right-wing and fascist parties globally tap into the frustration, promoting a familiar narrative: “Return to simpler times by blaming refugees, migrants, trans, homosexuals, and others. We offer stability and structure.” It’s a playbook used a century ago and likely to resurface in the next crisis.
