Fascism expert warns against AfD
Jason Stanley, a US-based philosopher and fascism expert, expresses concern over the success of far-right parties globally. The rise of the AfD in Germany threatens Germany's unique position in the world, Stanley told ntv.de.
Stanley warned of the emergence of "neo-fascist forces" worldwide. Germany, with its long-held reputation for dealing with its unique historical responsibility, is also not immune to this danger, he stated, referring to the AfD.
"For several decades, Germany has been renowned for its ability to work through its own past," Stanley said. "Because of this reckoning with its Nazi past, Germany is considered the most stable democracy in the world," ntv.de reported. Stanley is the author of the book "How Fascism Works," which has recently been published in German.
A lesson from the Nazi takeover in Germany, according to Stanley, is that "a modern, open democracy can be undermined and then overthrown by fascism." He added, "Once again, we see how various neo-fascist forces are rallying around the world under the banner of the 'Great Replacement' theory and spreading myths about an allegedly innocent, ethnically and religiously 'pure' past."
The 'Great Replacement' is a far-right conspiracy theory that claims "the elites" are trying to replace the populations of Western countries with migrants; in Germany, this legend is also used under right-wing battle cries like "ethnic replacement" or "ethnic death."
The world was shocked to learn that the US was on the verge of re-electing a former president, Donald Trump, who attempted to stay in power through a coup. "But what about Germany? The rapid rise of the AfD threatens Germany's unique position in the world. It also raises questions about the depth of Germany's coming to terms with its past," Stanley stated.
Concerning Stanley's warnings about neo-fascist forces, it's worrying to see that even in Germany, conspiracy theories like 'The Great Replacement' are being used by extremist groups such as the AfD. This theory, rooted in National Socialism's ideology, shares troubling similarities with Donald Trump's rhetoric, showcasing how politics can sometimes blur the line between fact and fiction.
