This is how fascism comes to America (Robert Kagan) from the Washington Post
"...the entire Trump phenomenon has nothing to do with policy or ideology. It has nothing to do with the Republican Party, either, except in its historic role as incubator of this singular threat to our democracy. Trump has transcended the party that produced him. His growing army of supporters no longer cares about the party. ... His incoherent and contradictory utterances have one thing in common: They provoke and play on feelings of resentment and disdain, intermingled with bits of fear, hatred and anger."
Showing posts with label Fascism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fascism. Show all posts
Friday, May 27, 2016
Sunday, May 15, 2016
TODAY'S BIG NUGGET: The Xenophobic Tide
The march of Europe’s little Trumps from the Economist
"Xenophobic parties have long been ostracised by mainstream politicians. That may no longer be possible"
"Xenophobic parties have long been ostracised by mainstream politicians. That may no longer be possible"
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Trump and Fascism
I asked 5 fascism experts whether Donald Trump is a fascist. Here's what they said (Dylan Matthews) from Vox
"Far-right populism is much more common, and much more dangerous, than neo-fascism."
"Far-right populism is much more common, and much more dangerous, than neo-fascism."
Friday, July 31, 2015
Flames of Hate Haunt a Nation
Is the Ugly German Back? from Der Spiegel [from Germany in English]
"During the first six months of this year, right-wing extremists in Germany committed attacks against places housing asylum-seekers on an almost daily basis. Many refugees living in the country fear for their lives."
"During the first six months of this year, right-wing extremists in Germany committed attacks against places housing asylum-seekers on an almost daily basis. Many refugees living in the country fear for their lives."
Friday, January 16, 2015
Charlie Hebdo fallout: Same book; different chapter:
Specter of fascist past haunts European nationalism (Jacob Heilbrunn) from Reuters
"Le Pen is at the forefront of a European-wide nationalist resurgence — one that wants to evict from their homelands people they view as Muslim subversives. She and other far-right nationalists are seizing on some legitimate worries about Islamic militancy — 10,000 soldiers are now deployed in France as a safety measure — in order to label all Muslims as hostile to traditional European cultural and religious values. Le Pen herself has likened their presence to the Nazi occupation of France."
"Le Pen is at the forefront of a European-wide nationalist resurgence — one that wants to evict from their homelands people they view as Muslim subversives. She and other far-right nationalists are seizing on some legitimate worries about Islamic militancy — 10,000 soldiers are now deployed in France as a safety measure — in order to label all Muslims as hostile to traditional European cultural and religious values. Le Pen herself has likened their presence to the Nazi occupation of France."
Rising Anti-semitism in Europe
Europe’s New Problem With Anti-Semitism from Foreign Policy Magazine
"Several factors, including the intensifying violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have contributed to the resurgence of anti-Semitism across Europe. But perhaps none is as toxic or frightening as the ascendance of far-right political parties. These groups are not just bad for Jews; they are bad for Europe."
"Several factors, including the intensifying violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have contributed to the resurgence of anti-Semitism across Europe. But perhaps none is as toxic or frightening as the ascendance of far-right political parties. These groups are not just bad for Jews; they are bad for Europe."
Friday, January 2, 2015
Putin's Hardening Regime
2015: The Year of the Putin Dictatorship (Leonid Bershidsky) from Bloomberg
"That process usually ends with a butterfly breaking out of the cocoon. But that would take a bigger shock than any of Putin's enemies, including the current Western leaders, are capable of delivering. Barring a miracle, 2015 will be the year the cocoon hardens -- a gloomy home to those inside and an impenetrable, unpredictable object to the outside world."
"That process usually ends with a butterfly breaking out of the cocoon. But that would take a bigger shock than any of Putin's enemies, including the current Western leaders, are capable of delivering. Barring a miracle, 2015 will be the year the cocoon hardens -- a gloomy home to those inside and an impenetrable, unpredictable object to the outside world."
Sunday, September 28, 2014
TODAY'S BIG NUGGET: Anti-semitism's Resurgence in Europe
Europe’s Anti-Semitism Rises From Shadows (Jim Yardley) from the New York Times
"In the wake of the conflict in Gaza, three communities became flash points of violence and began contending with anti-Jewish hatred they thought was buried in the past."
"In the wake of the conflict in Gaza, three communities became flash points of violence and began contending with anti-Jewish hatred they thought was buried in the past."
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Economic Woes in France May Have Bad Political Consequences for the EU
France is a Mess, and Europe is Worried (Paul Ames) from Salon
"If economic woes overwhelm Hollande's government and buoy the far right, the whole eurozone could feel the impact."
"If economic woes overwhelm Hollande's government and buoy the far right, the whole eurozone could feel the impact."
Monday, September 8, 2014
Disturbing Upsurge in Anti-Semitism Around the World
Anti-Semitism spiking around world, State Department special envoy says from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"A senior State Department official said rising hostility and prejudice against Jews is reaching levels not seen in decades, particularly in Europe. “We're going to combat anti-Semitism, but we're not going to solve the problem. We can't turn the faucet off. It's been running for 2,300 years. But maybe we can turn it down,” said Ira N. Forman, the State Department's special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism."
Along with the ongoing financial crisis in Europe, one of the key explanations for this (I believe) is how Israel has presented itself to the world over the last 10-20 years. Through much of Israel's modern history, they have been VERY effective at selling their message and their image around the world -- while the Arabs and the Palestinians particularly were very bad at the global PR game. In recent decades and especially under Bibi's leadership, Israel has been TERRIBLE at this, even as the Palestinians have very much raised their game. Indeed, in his second stint in office, it has seemed like Netenyahu's message to the world seems to have ""F--- you!" and "Because we're good buds with America, who cares what the rest of the world thinks!?" I suspect this has been a dangerous miscalculation on his part as even in the US, support for Israel (especially in the middle and on the left side of the political spectrum) has eroded quite a bit -- and most of the rest of the world has become very sick of the Israeli gov't's antics! -- Nuggetsman.
"A senior State Department official said rising hostility and prejudice against Jews is reaching levels not seen in decades, particularly in Europe. “We're going to combat anti-Semitism, but we're not going to solve the problem. We can't turn the faucet off. It's been running for 2,300 years. But maybe we can turn it down,” said Ira N. Forman, the State Department's special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism."
Along with the ongoing financial crisis in Europe, one of the key explanations for this (I believe) is how Israel has presented itself to the world over the last 10-20 years. Through much of Israel's modern history, they have been VERY effective at selling their message and their image around the world -- while the Arabs and the Palestinians particularly were very bad at the global PR game. In recent decades and especially under Bibi's leadership, Israel has been TERRIBLE at this, even as the Palestinians have very much raised their game. Indeed, in his second stint in office, it has seemed like Netenyahu's message to the world seems to have ""F--- you!" and "Because we're good buds with America, who cares what the rest of the world thinks!?" I suspect this has been a dangerous miscalculation on his part as even in the US, support for Israel (especially in the middle and on the left side of the political spectrum) has eroded quite a bit -- and most of the rest of the world has become very sick of the Israeli gov't's antics! -- Nuggetsman.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Growing Intolerance Emerging in Europe
Europe's Slow Surrender to Intolerance (Jeffrey Goldberg) from the Atlantic
"A seemingly small incident at a London supermarket suggests a deeper problem."
"A seemingly small incident at a London supermarket suggests a deeper problem."
Friday, August 22, 2014
France's (and Europe's) Political Woes Becoming More Apparent
The French Resistance Would Weep from the New York Times
"Seventy years after the liberation of Paris, the ascending force in French politics recalls the spirit of Vichy."
"Seventy years after the liberation of Paris, the ascending force in French politics recalls the spirit of Vichy."
Monday, August 11, 2014
New Levels of Anti-Semitism in Europe
Hate Crimes Against Jews On The Rise In Europe from NPR
"Some Europeans say anti-Semitism has increased in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict. NPR's Lourdes Garcia Navarro talks with correspondents Eleanor Beardsley and Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson."
"Some Europeans say anti-Semitism has increased in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict. NPR's Lourdes Garcia Navarro talks with correspondents Eleanor Beardsley and Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson."
Monday, August 4, 2014
European Democracies and their Disenchantments
Europe's Democratic Deficit Is Getting Worse (Matt Ford) from the Atlantic
"Voter participation in European Parliament elections is low—and getting lower."
"Voter participation in European Parliament elections is low—and getting lower."
Friday, June 20, 2014
Surprise, surprise! Anti-Semitism on the Rise in France
A New Wave of Anti-Semitism Rises in France from the Washington Post
"From comedy shows to political discourse, Jews in France are facing hate speech and violence in what community leaders are decrying the worst climate of anti-Semitism in decades."
"From comedy shows to political discourse, Jews in France are facing hate speech and violence in what community leaders are decrying the worst climate of anti-Semitism in decades."
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
What Direction is Europe Really Going These Days?
A Tale of Two Europes (Anne Applebaum) from Slate
"Ukraine is desperate to escape what Europe’s far-right wants to become."
"Ukraine is desperate to escape what Europe’s far-right wants to become."
Monday, June 2, 2014
Eastern Europe & Western Europe: Heading in Opposite Directions?
Europe is Seeing a East-West Clash of Values (Anne Applebaum) from the Washington Post
"... they have comparable political systems, similar economies, identical border guarantees. By any measure, all of them are more prosperous now than they were in 1989. Ukraine wants in. Poland is relieved to be there. And as for the nations formerly known as Western Europe? Quite a few of them want out of Europe altogether. Indeed, on the same day that Ukrainians voted for “European values” — and almost exactly a quarter-century after the Poles voted for “European values” — another landmark, landslide election propelled an unusually virulent group of anti-Europeans into prominence"
Applebaum asks why western Europeans are turning against the system. No surprise, like most well-heeled pundits for whom the Great Recession passed like a distant thunderstorm, it never occurs to her that the EU and most national democratically-elected leaders have done NOTHING to deal with the Great Recession as it has played out in western Europe. For six straight years, these governments have embraced policies that have made NO difference. In many cases, if anything, those policies only made people's daily lives worse (see Greece, Italy, and Spain). Side note: Thankfully, we have had Obama and the Dems to make sure the US did not waste the last six years in similar fashion. The lesson here is that when economies go deep into recession (or depression), democracies (US, European, wherever) CANNOT simply sit on their hands, election in and election out, with little or no improvement, and not leave mainstream leaders, parties, and ultimately the democratic systems themselves discredited. I doubt that many of those people who voted for the far right-wing parties actually supported their policies -- it is a primal scream at mainstream parties to WAKE UP!
"... they have comparable political systems, similar economies, identical border guarantees. By any measure, all of them are more prosperous now than they were in 1989. Ukraine wants in. Poland is relieved to be there. And as for the nations formerly known as Western Europe? Quite a few of them want out of Europe altogether. Indeed, on the same day that Ukrainians voted for “European values” — and almost exactly a quarter-century after the Poles voted for “European values” — another landmark, landslide election propelled an unusually virulent group of anti-Europeans into prominence"
Applebaum asks why western Europeans are turning against the system. No surprise, like most well-heeled pundits for whom the Great Recession passed like a distant thunderstorm, it never occurs to her that the EU and most national democratically-elected leaders have done NOTHING to deal with the Great Recession as it has played out in western Europe. For six straight years, these governments have embraced policies that have made NO difference. In many cases, if anything, those policies only made people's daily lives worse (see Greece, Italy, and Spain). Side note: Thankfully, we have had Obama and the Dems to make sure the US did not waste the last six years in similar fashion. The lesson here is that when economies go deep into recession (or depression), democracies (US, European, wherever) CANNOT simply sit on their hands, election in and election out, with little or no improvement, and not leave mainstream leaders, parties, and ultimately the democratic systems themselves discredited. I doubt that many of those people who voted for the far right-wing parties actually supported their policies -- it is a primal scream at mainstream parties to WAKE UP!
What is REALLY Going On When Fringe Groups Surge in Europe?
Is Europe Falling Apart? (Henry Grabar) from Salon
"Elections last weekend sent tremors through Europe as fringe groups dominated the polls. Here's what it means. ... Anti-immigrant, anti-globalization parties in the core states of the European Union owe their popularity to voters in the hinterland and around the cities that globalization has left behind. As the Economist stated this week, “they rarely thrive in large cities. In provincial towns, villages and suburbs around the continent, people whose jobs and livelihoods have been disrupted by immigration, outsourcing and automation no longer fit into the same social democratic ‘big tent’ as urban professionals, ethnic minority voters, students and public-sector workers.”
"Elections last weekend sent tremors through Europe as fringe groups dominated the polls. Here's what it means. ... Anti-immigrant, anti-globalization parties in the core states of the European Union owe their popularity to voters in the hinterland and around the cities that globalization has left behind. As the Economist stated this week, “they rarely thrive in large cities. In provincial towns, villages and suburbs around the continent, people whose jobs and livelihoods have been disrupted by immigration, outsourcing and automation no longer fit into the same social democratic ‘big tent’ as urban professionals, ethnic minority voters, students and public-sector workers.”
Immigration and White Fear in the UK
Whites in England Feel Like ‘Second Class Citizens’ Compared to Ethnic Minorities ‘Surrounding’ Them from Agence France-Presse
"Ostensibly fuelled by antipathy to immigration and Europe, UKIP's rise has nonetheless helped bring the issue of race to the fore ahead of the May 2015 general election. ... Adding to anxiety among many British voters is the influx of immigrants from eastern Europe under European Union rules allowing the free movement of workers, reinforcing UKIP's anti-EU, anti-immigrant message."
Definitely a common theme today! As noted above, this is simply another dimension of what we've been discussing here for some time: the pervasive economic failures of EU policy during the Great Recession. As in America, working-class whites in the UK have been hammered -- and the mainstream parties have done nothing that makes any difference. It is much easier for all concerned to blame immigrants (or as here in the US, the black guy in the White House) rather than deal with widespread, deep-seeded economic breakdown, inequality and other problems.
"Ostensibly fuelled by antipathy to immigration and Europe, UKIP's rise has nonetheless helped bring the issue of race to the fore ahead of the May 2015 general election. ... Adding to anxiety among many British voters is the influx of immigrants from eastern Europe under European Union rules allowing the free movement of workers, reinforcing UKIP's anti-EU, anti-immigrant message."
Definitely a common theme today! As noted above, this is simply another dimension of what we've been discussing here for some time: the pervasive economic failures of EU policy during the Great Recession. As in America, working-class whites in the UK have been hammered -- and the mainstream parties have done nothing that makes any difference. It is much easier for all concerned to blame immigrants (or as here in the US, the black guy in the White House) rather than deal with widespread, deep-seeded economic breakdown, inequality and other problems.
Friday, May 30, 2014
More Action Needed to Deal with the European Right
Europe’s Dangerous New Fault Line (Matthew D'Ancona) from the New York Times
"The disturbing trend of right-wing xenophobia demands more than just handwringing."
"The disturbing trend of right-wing xenophobia demands more than just handwringing."
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