The Anatomy of Modern Fascism
Despair, Cults, and Strategic Manipulation
Fascism and totalitarianism are born from genuine despair, deeply rooted in the deterioration of living conditions. When people’s basic needs are unmet, the ground becomes fertile for demagogues who offer magical solutions wrapped in cultish rhetoric. Without tangible efforts to improve material conditions, the cycle will continue: suffering breeds anger, anger finds a voice, and movements can turn into beliefs divorced from reality.
This is evident in the steadfast loyalty of Trump’s followers despite his bellicose policies that would neither improve their living conditions nor align with his calls for peace. The allure lies not in his achievements but in his emotional resonance with their despair. Meanwhile, the global ultra-right gains momentum, connected by an increasingly emboldened network of public figures, including Elon Musk, who has recently thrust himself into overt political discourse.
The Rise of Faux-Populism and Its Mechanisms
Around the world, ultra-right parties now argue for exorbitant military spending—5% of GDP, for example—while scapegoating migrants and the poor as the sources of virtually all economic and social woes. This narrative is a smokescreen, obscuring the enrichment of oligarchic elites who exploit weakened international norms on every level—military, social, and economic.
Today, geopolitical conflicts are often reduced to resource grabs: lithium, oil, or rare earth minerals. Need something? Invade. Threaten. The rules of the game are eroding, and no one is safe. This is all conducted in the open and, at the same time, hidden behind a smokescreen of culture wars.
Yet the core strategy of these movements for their followers isn’t about policy or governance—it’s emotional manipulation. As Hannah Arendt observed, totalitarian systems aren’t designed to inform but to resonate emotionally with their base. It’s not about logic or truth; it’s about creating a shared emotional landscape that unites followers in their despair, anger, disgust, and sense of belonging.
The Cult of the Ultra-Right
A hallmark of these movements is their transformation into cult-like entities. Once individuals are drawn in, reasoning with them becomes futile. Their beliefs are no longer rooted in facts but in an emotional connection that transcends logic.
This presents a unique obstacle: How can one break through to those ensnared by the ultra-right? The answer isn’t rhetoric. No amount of debating or fact-checking will suffice. Instead, it requires building a genuine mass movement that offers hope, finds common ground and solidarity, and is willing to sacrifice for the working class and the disenfranchised.
Empathy is essential—not for the ideologies of the far-right but for the shared despair that drives people into their arms. Without addressing the root causes of this despair, any attempts to counteract these movements will falter.
Strategic Manipulation: The Case of Alice Weidel and the AfD
Recent events in Germany exemplify the deliberate manipulation employed by the ultra-right. Alice Weidel, a leading figure in the far-right AfD and candidate for chancellor in Germany’s February 2025 elections, claimed in an interview with Elon Musk that Adolf Hitler was a communist. This wasn’t an ignorant slip but a calculated move to sow confusion and discredit Sahra Wagenknecht’s BSW, the only serious leftist alternative in German politics regarding social, economic, and foreign policy.
The strategy is clear: by conflating Hitler’s ideology with communism, the AfD undermines leftist movements while stoking fears of “national socialism.” This narrative, echoed across German media and mainstream parties, frames Wagenknecht’s party as both Stalinist and nationalist—a grotesque distortion designed to delegitimize the left.
This isn’t new. The far right thrives on emotional manipulation, weaponizing historical misrepresentation to fortify its base and weaken its opponents. By framing the BSW as a danger akin to the far right itself, the AfD consolidates power while neutralizing competition from the left.
Globally, such ludicrous statements serve a dual purpose: to paint a bogeyman of China and to smear the former USSR and today’s Russian Federation—two nations currently targeted by the declining hegemon, the U.S.
On a broader level, the fact that the wealthiest man in the world would echo Weidel’s assertion that Hitler was a communist underscores an attempt to rewrite history and erase the neo-modern ultra-right’s ideological roots from public memory. This rhetoric seeks to connect any genuine effort at leftist politics with death, destruction, and poverty. Amplified by today’s social media algorithms, such statements reinforce confirmation bias, making them a powerful tool for shaping public perception and discrediting opposition.
The Role of Tech Elites in Modern Authoritarianism
The growing influence of tech oligarchs like Elon Musk parallels these political developments. Musk’s recent foray into overt political manipulation—whether in the U.S., Germany, or the U.K.—is emblematic of a broader trend: the economic elite’s alignment with faux-populism.
These tech moguls are not accidental players; they are sought after by governments and economic elites seeking to automate labor and suppress wages. With promises of efficiency and innovation, they gain outsized influence while perpetuating systems that exploit workers.
The narrative of automation isn’t neutral—it’s a tool wielded to consolidate power and wealth at the expense of the working class. As these moguls openly entrench themselves in political systems, their influence grows, feeding into the broader dynamics of despair, manipulation, and cultish loyalty.
Toward a Solution
If there is any hope of countering these movements, it lies in building a mass movement grounded in genuine solidarity and economic justice. This movement must do more than speak to despair; it must offer tangible solutions and a sense of shared purpose.
The anger and despair fueling the rise of the far right are justified, but they are being exploited by those who have no interest in addressing the root causes. Only by redirecting this energy toward collective action can we hope to create fissures in the ultra-right’s grip and pave the way for a more just and equitable future.
Furthermore, offering solutions and improving material and economic conditions is not only about countering the far right. Many who claimed to represent the left or labor movements have failed to deliver, particularly in the Global North. This neglect created the fertile soil on which the far right thrives.
Finally, to counter the communicative and social power of manipulation wielded by tech moguls allied with governments, countries, and societies must develop independent social media platforms and leverage AI for the common good.
In the end, the battle isn’t just against far-right ideologies or oligarchic elites—it’s for the soul of societies around the world.
A Collective Effort for Change
The challenges we face today—rising authoritarianism, elite manipulation, and the exploitation of despair—demand more than awareness. They require action.
Let’s start by fostering spaces for honest dialogue and solidarity, both online and offline. Share this post with your networks to spark conversations about the roots of despair and how we can collectively address it.
Do you have insights, stories, or ideas about countering the far-right, building grassroots movements, or leveraging technology for the common good? Join the discussion in the comments or reply to this newsletter.
Together, we can reclaim the narrative, create alternative spaces for communication and connection, and push for tangible, systemic change.
Subscribe to Worldlines to stay engaged, informed, and connected. Let’s shape a future grounded in justice and solidarity—one step at a time.
Recommended Resources
Dive deeper into the topics explored in this post with these recommendations:
Videos
Documentary: Andrew Jackson – An Odd Symbol of Democracy (By: The Great Courses) – This documentary delves into the paradoxical legacy of Andrew Jackson in U.S. history, highlighting the comment: “In an era of drastic change, people will look to the past for reassurance.” It explores the concept of the Janus face, symbolizing the idea of walking backward into the future.
YouTube Video: Technofeudal Ecstasy (Channel: The Grayzone) – A comprehensive analysis of the growing influence of social media and tech oligarchs on U.S. and global politics today, shedding light on their role in shaping modern power dynamics.
Books
Hannah Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism – This foundational text examines the systemic and emotional mechanisms behind the rise of fascism and totalitarianism, providing timeless insights into the dynamics of power and manipulation.
Arnold J. Toynbee’s A Study of History: Volume VII – Toynbee explores the fall of the Roman Empire as part of a broader historical pattern, arguing that civilizations collapse not due to environmental factors or external attacks but because of the failure of elites to address societal challenges, focusing instead on preserving their own power.
David de Jong’s Nazi Billionaires – A revealing account of how oligarchs funded the Nazi Party to serve their interests, implementing policies like privatization—an economic concept unheard of until the 1970s—and shaping one of history’s most destructive regimes.
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Contact:
Twitter: @Nen_senb
Substack Comments: I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
See you in the next post,
Nel
I agree with the pathological analysis. Building a new mass movement while solving real problems for people in need requires a huge amount of money, connections into the government, and the ability to organize and provide social services. Connections into the government can be omitted if the resistance is against a colonial power. When Such a long term goal cannot be easily achieved, there also need intermediate steps.
I feel this call! Practical community solutions and emotional connection will drive change. Very timely piece.