In a recent article by Matt McManus in Jacobin magazine, the long-standing influence of Friedrich Nietzsche on right-wing thought is explored. The article highlights how Nietzsche's ideas have sparked debates among Danish intellectuals over the moral foundations of society, foreshadowing the contemporary debates between the Left and the far right [e61256c9].
The book 'The Great Debate: Nietzsche, Culture, and the Scandinavian Welfare Society' delves into the debate between Georg Brandes and Harald Høffding about Nietzsche's work. Brandes viewed Nietzsche as a proponent of 'aristocratic radicalism' and rejected egalitarian achievements, while Høffding proposed a 'democratic radicalism' grounded in the 'welfare principle'. This debate anticipated the ideological conflicts between the Left and the far right that we see today [e61256c9].
The article also discusses how some right-wing intellectuals have attempted to align Nietzsche's philosophy with their own ideology. They present the entrepreneur or tycoon as embodying Nietzsche's 'overman' ideal, blending Nietzschean aristocratic radicalism with neoliberal meritocratic mythology. This fusion is already evident in certain right-wing writings, highlighting the ongoing influence of Nietzsche on right-wing thought [e61256c9].
Furthermore, a recent article in The New Statesman by Sohrab Ahmari sheds light on the unique danger posed by the new racist right, particularly the online right. This movement openly espouses racist and anti-Semitic ideologies, promoting hereditary differences among human groups, eugenics, and a Nietzschean worship of strength. They view white people as under attack by black and brown hordes, orchestrated by Jews. The mainstream and even many progressives dismiss this movement as mere 'shitposting' on the internet, failing to recognize its comprehensive politics that fundamentally oppose democracy and the principles of equal human worth and dignity. The return of right-wing eugenics and IQ politics could lead to legal changes that undermine civil rights and impede economic reform. The new racist right has developed an ideological and cultural ecosystem both online and in real-world hubs, making it crucial to acknowledge and address the danger it poses [a22bd996] [e61256c9].