Could there be another Hitler? The rise of populist leaders in Europe and the wider world has caused political commentators to warn of a return to the 1930s.
Demagogues' delight: 2023 in politics
Could there be another Hitler? The rise of populist leaders in Europe and the wider world has caused political commentators to warn of a return to the 1930s.
A politician with distinctive blond hair stands in front of a raptCompletely fascinated or absorbed. audience of cheering activists. Shouting into the microphone, he promises to make the country great again.
This was not Donald Trump in America, but Geert Wilders in the Netherlands. On 23 November his party won the Dutch election, despite far-right views on immigration, Islam and the Europe Union.
Wilders is not the only successful politician with extreme views. Autumn saw election victories for the radical leaders Javier Milei in Argentina and Robert Fico in SlovakiaA country in central Europe. Until 1993 it was part of Czechoslovakia.. Turkey, India, Italy, Hungary and Russia all have nationalists as leaders, and many predict Donald Trump will win the next election in America.
These politicians are known as populists, claiming to represent the will of the people. And they are on the rise: one-third of Europeans now vote for populist far-left or far-right parties.1
Populist leaders treat those who disagree with them as enemies. They keep hold of power by ignoring the democratic process and attacking religious or ethnic minorities.
To many, these tactics are a reminder of fascismA political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies. in the 1920s and 1930s. The political party of Italy's current prime minister, Georgia Meloni, has been called "the most right wing to govern the country since the collapse of MussoliniThe fascist dictator of Italy from 1925 to 1945. 's dictatorship 80 years ago."2
However, the political and economic situation in Europe was completely different during the 1930s, with the long aftermath of World War One and the Great Depression, and the risk of a communistAn economic system entailing collective ownership of all means of production in contrast with capitalism, which holds that industry and businesses are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by the government. revolution. And, after World War Two, organisations were founded to make sure that period never returned.
One new reason for the rise of populist politicians is social media. It allows them to speak directly to voters, but also spread fake news. In 2021 Donald Trump was banned from Twitter after praising rioters who stormed the CapitolThe building in Washington DC where the US Congress meets. It was named after the Capitoline Hill in Rome. building in Washington.
However, recent elections in Brazil and Poland saw the far-right leaders replaced. At the beginning of 2023, the number of populist leaders around the world was at its lowest for two decades.3
Next year sees roughly fifty elections taking place around the world. Populist leaders will play a major role, even if none of them become the next Hitler.
Could there be another Hitler?
Yes: One in three voters in Europe choose far-right or far-left politicians. History teaches us the danger of populist leaders. We should take them seriously before it's too late.
No: The situation today is nothing like the 1930s. International institutions give us much stronger defences against populism. Making scary comparisons to the past only confuses things.
Or... We should not ignore the risk of populism, nor should we demonise far-right or far-left leaders. Instead we have to ask why so many people prefer them to mainstream politicians.
Keywords
Rapt - Completely fascinated or absorbed.
Slovakia - A country in central Europe. Until 1993 it was part of Czechoslovakia.
Fascism - A political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies.
Mussolini - The fascist dictator of Italy from 1925 to 1945.
Communist - An economic system entailing collective ownership of all means of production in contrast with capitalism, which holds that industry and businesses are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by the government.
Capitol - The building in Washington DC where the US Congress meets. It was named after the Capitoline Hill in Rome.
Demagogues’ delight: 2023 in politics
Glossary
Rapt - Completely fascinated or absorbed.
Slovakia - A country in central Europe. Until 1993 it was part of Czechoslovakia.
Fascism - A political ideology that rose to power in 20th-Century Europe. It stressed militarism and order over personal freedom, and often divided society according to racial hierarchies.
Mussolini - The fascist dictator of Italy from 1925 to 1945.
Communist - An economic system entailing collective ownership of all means of production in contrast with capitalism, which holds that industry and businesses are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by the government.
Capitol - The building in Washington DC where the US Congress meets. It was named after the Capitoline Hill in Rome.