LA NUEVA DERECHA - Natascha Strobl

Analysis of Radicalized Conservatism

Overview of Natasha Strobel's Work

• "La nueva derecha bajo el subtítulo de un análisis del conservadurismo radicalizado" is a book by Austrian political scientist Natasha Strobel, published in German in 2021 and translated into Spanish in 2022.

• Strobel argues that we live in an emotional state of emergency, exacerbated by the pandemic, which has become normalized.

The Erosion of Certainties

• The current era is characterized by fading certainties and shifting political power towards diffuse networks and digital bubbles.

• Online communities can mobilize against issues like climate change and gender violence but also foster extreme right-wing movements.

Rise of the New Right

• The emergence of the new right challenges traditional conservative spaces, raising questions about whether conservatives should distance themselves from or adopt far-right rhetoric.

• This phenomenon leads to what Strobel terms "radicalized conservatism," transforming political and media landscapes rapidly.

Classical Conservatism Defined

• Classical conservatism emerged with nation-states in the 17th to 19th centuries, rooted in bourgeois interests aimed at preserving existing conditions.

• It opposes Enlightenment liberalism and revolutionary socialism while promoting class hierarchies as essential for social order.

Ideological Foundations

• Conservatism includes an irrational element—religious faith—which holds equal or greater importance than human reason.

• It is anti-liberal and anti-revolutionary, emphasizing class harmony alongside property rights.

Fascism vs. Conservatism

• The 20th century saw fascism and Nazism emerge as ideologies distinct from conservatism due to their transformative ambitions rather than mere preservation.

• Fascist ideology relies on a mythologized past to construct a utopian future through societal reconstruction.

Political Spectrum Complexity

• While both fascists and conservatives share anti-socialist sentiments, conservatism seeks to maintain existing power structures whereas fascism aims for significant changes within elite power dynamics.

The Evolution of the New Right

Innovations in Extreme Right Movements

• In the late 1960s, a faction within France's extreme right rebranded itself as the "New Right," distancing from Nazi associations.

Strategic Shift

• This group shifted its battleground from institutional politics to pre-political spaces, focusing on cultural hegemony before seeking formal power.

Cultural Hegemony Approach

• They adopted Antonio Gramsci’s theory of hegemony, prioritizing social acceptance over immediate political gains.

Digital Age Activism

• A new generation within the New Right emerged in the early 21st century that integrates political activism with pop culture using digital platforms for outreach.

Impactful Events Leading to Change

Radicalization and the New Right

The Rise of Authoritarianism in Conservative Middle Classes

• Discussion on how various themes, including evangelical fantasies, racism, antifeminism, and misogyny, shape viral images and memes associated with Donald Trump.

• Natasha Strobel notes a radicalization within conservative middle classes leading to overt right-wing extremism; this is part of a new sociological phenomenon termed "crude bourgeoisie."

• The "crude bourgeoisie" is described by sociologist Wilhelm Heer as a social sector that hides authoritarian attitudes beneath a veneer of civility.

• There is a trend among certain bourgeois strata to abandon social solidarity in favor of an ideology focused on personal responsibility and economic efficiency, often disregarding weaker groups.

Transformation of Political Conservatism

• Unlike traditional gradualist conservatism that seeks to maintain the status quo, extreme right parties aim for rapid societal transformation.

• This shift leads to what Strobel calls "radicalized conservatism," characterized by its relationship with democracy and a desire to dismantle democratic norms.

Impact of Economic Crises on Political Polarization

• Post-WWII power balance between center-right and center-left was disrupted by Donald Trump's presidency; earlier signs were seen during Obama's term with the rise of the Tea Party movement.

• The global financial crisis of 2008 increased unemployment and precarious jobs in developed countries while polarizing right-wing sentiments socially.

Cultural Wars and Political Narratives

• Terms like "political correctness" became derogatory among conservatives, encompassing feminism, gender diversity policies, anti-racism efforts—later evolving into what is termed "wokism."

• Radicalized conservatism shifts focus from detailed governance programs to conveying narratives that instill security amid social dislocation.

Consequences of Radicalized Conservatism

• In radicalized conservatism, political opponents are viewed not just as adversaries but as enemies needing elimination; this creates an environment devoid of compromise.

• Traditional political decorum gives way to indignation-driven movements that reject established rules; this can lead to aggressive rhetoric becoming normalized in political discourse.

The Dangers of Abandoning Political Norms

• Ignoring informal political rules may seem harmless but can have profound effects by fostering an environment where insults and baseless aggression thrive online.

• Opponents' attempts to highlight transgressive behavior often fail; repeated lies become accepted truths without consequences for those who propagate them.

Cultural Warfare: A New Paradigm

• Radicalized conservatism fosters cultural warfare framed as battles between good versus evil; it seeks total victory over perceived enemies rather than engaging in civil discourse.

The Dynamics of Radical Conservatism

The Enemy Narrative in Radical Conservatism

• In radical conservatism, the portrayal of enemies is simplistic; figures like "the witch" symbolize evil, merging traditional extreme right images with neoliberal perspectives.

• Donald Trump positions himself as a representative of the working class, promoting economic nationalism against global capital and immigrant labor while invoking values of pride and honor.

• Trump's narrative identifies certain demographics (e.g., welfare recipients, protesters) as societal threats, framing them as "others" who disrupt American ideals.

• A strategy of polarization emerges where progressives are constantly provoked; subtlety is dismissed in favor of exaggerated narratives that vilify opponents.

• Media and cultural critics are grouped into a singular political power structure labeled by Trump as "the swamp," fostering a conspiratorial ideology that frames political discourse as a battle against an invisible enemy.

Mechanisms of Polarization and Control

• The construction of an enemy allows for justifications of aggression; any electoral loss is attributed to fraud orchestrated by this adversary.

• Beyond formal politics, there exists a diffuse enemy on the left (e.g., Antifa), which can be broadly defined to include various groups for flexible targeting.

• Radical conservatism thrives on fear; dissenters become complicit in a fictitious threat, reinforcing the leader's narrative and authority.

• Leaders within radical conservatism adopt near-religious status, seen not as self-interested but as martyrs or victims, stifling normal political dialogue.

• This leadership style transforms followers into mere supporters who agree without question, creating an environment devoid of dissent.

Erosion of Democratic Norms

• Trump promotes the idea of a "deep state" undermining democracy through institutional mechanisms that erode checks and balances among branches of government.

• Accusations against institutions like Congress portray them as elitist entities incapable of judging leaders elected by popular vote; media is framed as biased purveyors of falsehoods.

• Resistance to leadership fosters further polarization; unmet promises can always be blamed on this resistance rather than leadership failures themselves.

Continuous Campaigning and Media Manipulation

• Radical conservatives blur lines between campaign phases, engaging in perpetual campaigning that drags opposition into constant conflict via social media provocations.

• Political leaders become subjects themselves rather than topics discussed through content; their actions generate news cycles focused solely on them.

• A strategy to overwhelm media with scandals creates confusion about what is relevant or true—this information overload serves to distract from substantive issues.

Reality and Power Dynamics

The Construction of a Parallel Reality

• Followers become the sole source of reality, shaping a parallel existence dominated by dark powers aiming to overthrow the leader. This alternate reality isolates supporters from critical and plural political discourse.

• The existence of this parallel reality is characterized by the leader providing solutions to problems he has fabricated, leading to fictitious issues followed by equally fictitious solutions.

Challenges of Transitioning Between Eras

• Living in an era where the old is dying and the new has yet to emerge creates a temptation to revert to an idealized past, which can hinder progress.

Political Weaknesses and Radical Responses

• Leaders are seen as symptoms rather than causes, reflecting weaknesses within liberal, progressive, and leftist sectors that have failed to secure power. In contrast, radical right actors act decisively without seeking permission or negotiating compromises.

Simplistic Promises in Politics

• Radical leaders offer simple answers and grand promises that often go unfulfilled since they can blame hidden forces for any failures. Political rivals transform into enemies as state structures shift towards undemocratic forms.

Erosion of Reality Boundaries