Sunday 22 January 2017

The Right


You couldn't dream it up - the delicious irony of extreme right-wing, xenophobic, nationalist parties from across Europe having a pan-European conference to talk about co-operating to destroy the EU. There again, it's not without precedent and happened with the Pact of Steel between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, which had a secret protocol comprising an agreement over joint military and economic co-operation. Makes you kind of think the far right doesn't actually have an issue with the European Project, so long as they are running it.

On another front, what benefit will there be for the UK in a trade deal with the USA when Brexiteers are advocating that we buy British and Trump is demanding Americans buy American goods. Being at the front (or back) of the queue will be of bugger all use when nationalists are saying we should stick to our own.


Talking of Trump, Americans would do well to read It Can't Happen Here, a semi-satirical 1935 political novel by American author Sinclair Lewis. Published during the rise of fascism in Europe, the novel describes the rise of a politician who defeats Franklin Delano Roosevelt and is elected President of the United States after fomenting fear and promising drastic economic and social reforms while promoting a return to patriotism and "traditional" values. After his election, he takes complete control of the government and imposes a plutocratic/totalitarian rule with the help of a ruthless paramilitary force,

1 comment:

A Heron's View said...

I notice that you have omitted to mention Democracy.
"The Treaty on the European Union states that any European country may apply for membership if it respects the democratic values of the EU and is committed to promoting them"

The US is not a democracy rather it is an oligarchy and that fundamental difference is something we need to comprehend, when discussing critical values.