Unraveling Extreme Right-Wing Populism in the Era of Social Media.edited (1)
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Neoliberalism's Nexus: Unraveling Extreme Right-Wing Populism in the Era of Social
Media
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Neoliberalism's Nexus: Unraveling Extreme Right-Wing Populism in the Era of Social
Media
Research Question
: In the context of the privatization of journalism and media
industries, what role did the history of neoliberalism and the impact of social media
platforms play in the rise of extreme right-wing populism, particularly Trumpism?
Thesis
: Liberal capitalist societies' inconsistencies are reflected in Trumpism's rise.
This tendency is linked to the history of neoliberalism and the influence of social
media on public debate.
Introduction
Trumpism and extreme right-wing populism have threatened liberal democracy's
foundations. This intellectual movement has upset political norms and highlighted modern
society's contradictions. The essay examines the complex relationship between
neoliberalism's historical roots and social media's widespread effect. This analysis aims to
understand the complex factors driving extreme right-wing populism. It methodically
examines the complex relationships between neoliberal economic theories, media
privatization, and social media's seismic impact on modern politics. The essay examines these
interrelated causes to explain a cultural metamorphosis that challenges norms and reshapes
political discourse across societies. Trumpism, a symbol of this populist revolution,
illuminates modern politics. This analysis peels back these layers of influence to reveal the
confluence of causes that have driven extreme right-wing populism, illuminating today's
complex political scene.
Neoliberalism's Role in Shaping Right-Wing Populism
Neoliberalism, especially in the late 20th century, promoted deregulation, free
markets, and corporate power. This paradigm shift changed global governance and cultural
institutions, increasing socioeconomic inequities and public disempowerment (Monbiot,
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2016). Neoliberal policies of deregulation and corporate supremacy marginalized ordinary
citizens. Market-oriented strategies over government intervention increased the gap between
the elite and the working class. Globalization under neoliberalism benefited companies and
the wealthy, leaving regular populations with economic insecurity, job precarity, and
declining social prestige.
The inability of progressive politics to adequately address the issues of ordinary
citizens under the context of neoliberal globalization is a crucial factor contributing to the rise
of right-wing populism. In his perceptive study, Michael Sandel draws attention to how
progressive parties cannot effectively address the problems brought about by the neoliberal
regime (Monbiot, 2016). The population feels disempowered, and socioeconomic gaps are
growing as a result of the mindless acceptance of a neoliberal interpretation of globalization
that has primarily benefited companies and the elites.
Sandel's explanation of why progressive politics have failed highlights the justifiable
complaints that underlie the rise in right-wing populist populism. Ordinary citizens have
experienced economic insecurity, job precarity, and a declining sense of social esteem due to
feeling isolated and excluded from the benefits of globalization. As quoted by Monbiot
(2016), "Neoliberal policies are everywhere beset by market failures." These complaints have
moral and cultural overtones in addition to just economic ones. Many of the population is
very dissatisfied, exacerbated by the rapid worldwide developments eroding social cohesion,
community bonds, and a sense of identity (Monbiot, 2016). Working-class communities feel a
tangible feeling of economic precarity due to the neoliberal emphasis on deregulation and
free-market principles, which has caused conventional sectors to decline and precarious labor
markets to emerge.
Furthermore, as trade agreements and supranational organizations have supplanted
local authority, the neoliberal globalization drive has also resulted in a perceived loss of
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national sovereignty. Citizens who felt cut off from the political establishment became even
more resentful and disenfranchised due to their lack of power over economic policies and
decision-making procedures (Sandel, 2018). As a result of progressive parties' inability to
successfully mitigate the negative consequences of neoliberal globalization, right-wing
populism has blossomed. Right-wing populist leaders have found a ready market in
exploiting the divide between the public's worries and the political class and the
socioeconomic anxieties brought on by neoliberal policies (Grayling, 2017).
The complicated interplay between the economic framework of neoliberalism and the
development of right-wing populism highlights the intricacies of modern political
environments. The issues presented by the entrenchment of right-wing populist beliefs
require a comprehensive strategy that takes into account economic policies as well as the
socio-political implications in order to reconcile the disempowerment that many citizens
endure within the context of the neoliberal paradigm (Wodak & Krzyżanowski, 2017).
Social Media's Amplification of Right-Wing Populism:
Social media changed how information is exchanged and consumed, democratizing
public debate. Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube promised open access to information,
allowing people to voice opinions, share news, and have unprecedented discussions. This
increasing openness exposed these platforms' vulnerabilities, exacerbating right-wing
populism
(
Wodak & Krzyżanowski, 2017). Divisive discourse and disinformation were social
media's most significant drawbacks. These platforms' algorithms, designed to maximize user
interaction, generated echo chambers by reinforcing users' opinions and preferences. This
echo chamber effect isolated people in ideological bubbles where extreme right-wing
narratives thrived. Audiences prone to inflammatory discourse embraced fake news,
sensationalist content, and conspiracy theories. (Schroeder, 2018). According to Schroeder,
“In the 2016 presidential primaries, Donald Trump dominated the news headlines on the side
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of the race to become the nominee for the Republican Party, even though he was a party
outsider and the party favored insider candidates.” Because social media's built-in algorithms
aim to increase engagement, sensationalist and emotionally charged information frequently
gets amplified, producing echo chambers that support preexisting ideas and ideologies.
The transformational significance of digital media platforms is emphasized by Robert
Schroeder's perspective on their involvement in entrenching right-wing populist agendas.
Schroeder highlights that digital media circumvents traditional media gatekeepers, especially
in the context of right-wing populism (Schroeder, 2018). The democratization of information
dissemination makes it possible for fringe or radical views to become more prominent and
legitimate in public discourse, circumventing gatekeepers. The unrestricted dissemination of
false information and conspiracy theories is made possible in some cases by the lack of
editorial oversight and fact-checking procedures, which polarizes society.
Privatizing the media and journalistic sectors highlights the contradiction inherent in
liberal capitalism. Although free speech and the press are valued as essential elements of a
robust democracy in liberal democracies, media privatization has had unintended
repercussions (Grayling, 2017). Nuanced reporting and a diversity of viewpoints have
occasionally been undermined by the concentration of media ownership in many corporate
corporations. Editorial decisions are frequently influenced by commercial imperatives and
profit-driven agendas, which may lead to a preference for sensationalism and clickbait over
in-depth, objective reporting.
In addition, the lines separating news from entertainment and opinion have become
increasingly hazy due to the commoditization of information and news in private media.
Some sections of the public's trust in traditional media organizations have decreased due to
this convergence (Grayling, 2017). As a result, people could resort to alternate sources, such
as fringe internet forums, where erroneous information and radical beliefs spread
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unrestricted. How right-wing populism, social media, and journalism are intertwined
highlights the complexity of liberal capitalist cultures. Right-wing populist ideas have found
a ready audience thanks to the democratization of information via social media and the
breakdown of established journalistic standards. A holistic strategy that upholds journalistic
integrity considers social media platforms' ethical obligations and fosters critical media
literacy among the general public, which is needed to address this situation. The relationship
between social media, the commercialization of journalism, and the emergence of extreme
right-wing populism marks a critical turning point in modern conversation.
Trumpism: A Product of Neoliberalism and social media
Trumpism, a powerful force in extreme right-wing populism, was fueled by neoliberal
economic ideals and social media. Trumpism relied on social divisions, racial polarization,
white nationalism, and authoritarianism (Giroux, 2017). The movement mimicked
ethnonationalism and challenged democratic norms using divisive rhetoric, policies, and
actions. Historical ethnonationalist ideals were reflected in the movement's deliberate fueling
of racial tensions and advocacy of "us versus them." Trump routinely denigrated immigrants
and advocated strict border controls and a border wall. These measures exacerbated tensions
and promoted a narrative of "real Americans," reflecting ethnonationalist ideas of national
identity.
At the core of Trumpism was racial division, which was characterized by a purposeful
focus on divisive racial policies and language. Racial and ethnic minorities were the focus of
Trump's campaign and presidency, with words that inflamed tensions in the community and
fomented dread (Giroux, 2017). This polarizing attitude was embodied in his calls for harsher
immigration laws, which included the iconic proposal for a border wall, and in the
discriminatory travel ban those targeted nations with a majority Muslim population. The
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rhetoric surrounding these policies, which frequently presented them as protective measures
for the "real Americans," fueled racial tensions and widened societal divisions.
Within the context of Trumpism, white nationalism gained traction and expressed
itself as an overt or covert endorsement of white nationalist beliefs. Trump's hesitation to
strongly denounce white supremacist organizations at pivotal junctures, like during the
Charlottesville demonstration, sparked questions about whether he was implicitly endorsing
these extreme viewpoints (Sandel, 2018). Furthermore, the policies and rhetoric of his
administration frequently aligned with the narratives of white supremacist organizations,
strengthening their influence in the public domain and escalating racial tensions.
The Trumpism mindset was fostered to promote authoritarian ideas. By questioning
democratic norms, denouncing the free press as the "enemy of the people," and exhibiting
contempt for institutional checks and balances, Trump exhibited traits that were reminiscent
of authoritarian regimes (Sandel, 2018). His acts frequently demonstrated a preference for
concentrated authority, seeking to subvert long-standing democratic institutions and
procedures, endangering the democratic fabric of the United States.
There are striking and alarming similarities between Trumpism and previous forms of
ethnonationalism, especially German fascism. Scapegoating minorities was a tactic used by
both movements to garner support and amplify populist feelings. Similar tactics were used by
Hitler's Nazi dictatorship, which vilified Jewish communities and other oppressed groups,
held them responsible for society's problems, and took advantage of populist feelings in order
to seize power (Giroux, 2017). Trumpism and other ethnonationalist movements employed
core strategies of manipulating public opinion, fostering an "us versus them" narrative, and
exalting a perceived national identity.
History's echoes issue a sobering warning about the perilous effects of political groups
that place a premium on polarizing rhetoric, racial hostility, and authoritarian inclinations
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(Gillborn, 2006). In addition to shedding light on recent political developments, an
understanding of Trumpism's manifestations in the context of racial polarization, white
nationalism, and the promotion of authoritarian values emphasizes how crucial it is to defend
democratic principles and foster social cohesion in the face of such divisive ideologies.
Conclusion
It is impossible to separate the rise and spread of far-right populism, best represented
by the Trumpist movement, from the larger historical context of neoliberal economic policies
and the enormous influence of social media. Under neoliberalism, the emphasis on
deregulation, free markets, and corporate supremacy has not only caused socioeconomic
differences to increase but also has made ordinary people feel marginalized and helpless.
Populist politicians have manipulated this sense of alienation by capitalizing on social issues
and the discontent generated by progressive politics' failings. Furthermore, the dominance of
social media platforms has significantly changed the public discourse environment by
permitting the unchecked spread of false information and contested narratives.
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References
Gillborn, D. (2006). Rethinking white supremacy: Who counts in ‘White World. ‘Ethnicities,
6(3), 318–340.
Giroux, H. A. (2017). White nationalism, armed culture, and state violence in the age of
Donald Trump. Philosophy & Social Criticism, 43(9), 887-910.
Grayling, A. C. (2017). Democracy and its crisis. Simon and Schuster.
Monbiot, G. (2016, April 15). Neoliberalism – the ideology at the root of all our problems.
The Guardian.
Sandel, M. J. (2018). Populism, liberalism, and democracy. Philosophy & Social Criticism,
44(4), 353-359.
Schroeder, R. (2018). Digital media and the entrenchment of right-wing populist agendas.
Social Media+ Society, 5(4), 2056305119885328.
Wodak, R., & Krzyżanowski, M. (2017). Right-wing populism in Europe & USA: Contesting
politics & discourse beyond 'Orbanism'and 'Trumpism Journal of Language and
Politics, 16(4), 471-484.
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