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Lessons from history: The dangers of radical right-wing parties in power
🇩🇪 Germany /Culture & Society

Lessons from history: The dangers of radical right-wing parties in power

From Der Spiegel · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Sources not specified Context piece
  • The article discusses the potential dangers of allowing radical right-wing parties to govern, citing historical examples from Germany and Austria.
  • It warns against the idea that such parties will "disenchant" themselves once in power, referencing the rise of the AfD in Germany and the FPÖ in Austria.
  • The piece also touches on Senator Bernie Sanders' opposition to artificial intelligence and its transformative impact on society.

The rise of radical right-wing parties presents a complex challenge, with some advocating for letting them govern in hopes they will self-destruct. However, historical parallels suggest this approach is fraught with peril. In Germany, conservatives in the 1920s and 1930s believed they could control Adolf Hitler, a strategy that ultimately led to the Holocaust. Charlotte Knobloch, a Holocaust survivor and leader of the Jewish community in Munich, recently warned that the AfD exhibits "no difference in many areas from the NSDAP."

in many areas no difference to the NSDAP

— Charlotte KnoblochThe Holocaust survivor warned about the similarities between the AfD and the Nazi party.

Austria offers a more recent cautionary tale. The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) has been part of federal governments three times since 1983. While coalitions have dissolved, partly due to the FPÖ's disregard for democratic norms, the party remains strong, polling at nearly 40 percent. Its current rhetoric, with party leader Herbert Kickl calling for a "system overhaul" and "remigration," suggests that "disenchantment" is not the outcome, according to colleague Lucia Heisterkamp, who covers the FPÖ for "Inside Austria."

Disenchantment looks different

— Lucia HeisterkampA colleague commenting on the continued strength and radical rhetoric of the FPÖ in Austria.

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders is emerging as a vocal opponent of artificial intelligence (AI). Sanders, who first entered the U.S. House of Representatives in 1991, before the widespread adoption of the internet and mobile technology, now views AI as a fundamental disruptor. As AI continues to reshape politics, economics, and culture, resistance to its pervasive influence is growing, indicating a significant societal debate is underway regarding its future impact.

Let us stand up against it

— Bernie SandersSenator Sanders expressing his opposition to artificial intelligence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Der Spiegel in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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