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thorpeedo22 t1_j9fyyks wrote

What is the common thread you see that helps far-right political leaders jump into power and gain traction? I believe it is use of social media/misinformation and fear, but love to hear your thoughts.

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npr OP t1_j9g6h34 wrote

There are lots of commonalities - the writer Moises Naim talks about some of them in his very smart book, “The Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century.” But one Spanish activist we met in Madrid made a point that stuck with me. She told methe far right is gaining power by telling a story about community, and stories about community have power. The far right tells a story of "us" against "them" - outsiders coming to harm our community. She believes that the only successful response will be a different kind of story about community.

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dopef123 t1_j9m7ehf wrote

I think that story will be hard to write because many of the migrants they're taking in turn to crime or do not assimilate because of cultural differences. I personally don't see a great story coming from all of this. Just another cycle of human misery and change.

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