Scientists Unite Against AfD: 'An Act of Self-Defense'

Nearly 600 German researchers have united under the banner "Science Against Fascism," expressing deep concern over the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The initiative is set to convene a conference in Erfurt, titled "Before It's Too Late," coinciding with the AfD's federal party congress in the same city.

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This is not simply a normal party congress of an ordinary party. Members of an explicitly anti-democratic, in parts demonstrably right-wing extremist party are gathering here.

Sociologist Silke van Dyk and philosopher Rahel Jaeggi, both prominent figures in the initiative, highlighted the urgency of their action. Van Dyk emphasized that the AfD is not a typical political party but one with explicitly anti-democratic and, in parts, right-wing extremist elements. She pointed to upcoming state elections and the potential for an AfD-led government in Saxony-Anhalt as immediate triggers for their mobilization.

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We, as sociologists, historians, philosophers, research the backgrounds of how this fundamental rightward shift came about. We want to bring this knowledge to the people.

"We, as sociologists, historians, philosophers, research the backgrounds of how this fundamental rightward shift came about. We want to bring this knowledge to the people," van Dyk stated. Jaeggi criticized political strategies that attempt to weaken the AfD by adopting its positions, arguing that voters will always prefer the "original" extremist party. She questioned the framing of the "migration crisis," suggesting it might be a misdiagnosis of a deeper infrastructure crisis that requires different solutions than regressive, authoritarian responses.

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The social scientific finding that adopting right-wing extremist positions never leads to a weakening of the right-wing extremists, because people prefer to vote for the original, should have spread by now, one would think.

The conference aims to foster a broad discussion on the "fascist danger," encompassing not only the AfD but also broader anti-democratic and anti-humanitarian tendencies. By holding the event just before the AfD's congress, the scientists intend to underscore that the path toward such a political climate is unfolding in the present, not in some distant future.

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The migration problem is also a good example of how not only the solution to a crisis leads in the wrong direction, but the crisis itself is described incorrectly.