We are living in an era of deepening divisions and polarization, impacting societies globally. Political leaders like Donald Trump and parties such as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) are contributing to this division. The socioeconomic challenges, migration, climate change issues, and technological advancement are common concerns that require joint efforts across borders and ideologies. Despite their history of addressing societal issues effectively, democratic societies now face a decline in the willingness to compromise and a more rigid political atmosphere.

Researchers, including sociologist Nils Teichler, warn that polarization threatens social unity. Studies reveal that areas with strong far-right support exhibit broader prejudices, not limited to the party’s voters, showing that division is deeply rooted in these regions. The migration issue is frequently cited by the far-right as a central driver of division, advocating for stricter immigration policies. However, critics argue that such approaches do not address the real socio-economic issues that fuel division and that reducing divisions solely to migration oversimplifies the complexities involved.

The exclusionary policies towards migrants, despite their integration efforts, exacerbate social isolation and fear, suggesting that societal responses to migration are part of a broader narrative rather than a singular issue. The rise of the far-right is characterized more as a symptom of societal divisions stemming from economic and social disparities, rather than its cause. Societies’ facilitation of far-right narratives by neglecting the true drivers of division is a concerning trend, pointing to the need for addressing underlying social issues to foster unity and inclusion.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/how-the-far-right-afd-creates-divisions-in-german-society/a-71911100?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf