In a world where the potential daily news items include the rise of far-right power in Europe, derogatory remarks about immigrants by Donald Trump, fake explicit imagery of celebrities like Taylor Swift, conspiracy theories connected to Covid vaccine, public endorsement of rape by influencer Andrew Tate, open violent outbursts in different parts of the world including India, US, Gaza, Xinjiang, Myanmar and Ukraine, it’s easy to feel like we are knee deep in an avalanche of societal chaos. Indeed, such news stories have become distressingly common.
In his work Disaster Nationalism: The Downfall of Liberal Civilisation, Richard Seymour excellently unfolds the rationale behind this upsurge of inflammatory disorder prevalent in current times. He further links these seemingly unrelated news occurrences to highlight the institutional decay of democracy and the frightening rise of fascist power. Seymour suggests that such catastrophic dysfunction shouldn’t come as a surprise, but rather as an anticipated downpour in the waning phase of liberal democracy.
The way we grapple with this phenomenon, Seymour suggests, begins with understanding the heart of Disaster Nationalism by scrutinising news incidents like the verbal harassment of refugees by roadside motorists in Dublin. Deciphering the hostility and lack of empathy shown towards individuals trapped in a crippling cycle of poverty and severe vulnerability can be quite puzzling.
Yet the answer, according to Seymour, resides in his coined term ‘the falling middle’. Citing research, he explains that the escalation of social inequality amplifies the perceived income and status threat, especially among those positioned higher on the societal class ladder. The fear of descending, coupled with a decrease in income and status, breeds resentment and aggression aimed at the less fortunate, instead of solidarity. In this environment, the far-right extremism becomes a soothing force for those who feel their status is threatened and they’re in societal decline. The likelihood of this sentiment has only grown in the wake of financial crises, rising living costs, and severe lack of housing and social services, thereby touching the lives of numerous individuals.
Far-right parties employ disaster nationalism under the guise of representing the neglected and overlooked, asserting that they can remedy the current crisis by purifying the nation. They succeed in garnering support not only from those who are impacted by current issues, but also from those afraid of being affected.
Through scapegoating a clear enemy, disaster nationalism attracts those looking for someone to blame for the current problems rather than admitting to the complex “systems” at play. These systems, including climate change, economic discrepancy, and financial upheaval are intransigent problems that cannot be simply eradicated.
Richard Seymour explains that leaders like Trump use shock tactics to channel public fear and anger. Trump’s rhetoric is intended to exploit social trends towards barbarism, rather than resist them. Seymour’s viewpoint further accentuates that the emergence of this disaster nationalism is not only a sign of our challenging times, but also an alarm that we are already on the path towards an oppressive state.
Moreover, it’s not only personal financial destabilisation that provides the backdrop. The rise of disaster nationalism has been propelled by numerous severe crises, including growing inequality, the undermining of democracies, the rise of dictatorships, environmental catastrophes, wars, and climate change.
Another noteworthy point in Seymour’s work, Disaster Nationalism, is his ability to link together the evident failings seen in our daily news, highlighting how they precondition societal acceptance of autocratic leaders. Seymour turns his attention not just towards these leaders, but also to the aberrations within society that lead to the propagation of state-backed violence – the surge of solitary attacks and mass shootings, the rise of online vigilantes and conspiracy theorists, rampant sexual violence, and eventually, violent mass persecution and genocide.
Seymour’s extensive writing reveals the grim reality of disaster nationalism, exemplified crudely through the genocidal activities enacted by Israel on Gazans – strongly backed by prominent Western democracies and Binyamin Netanyahu’s extreme right-wing government. His exceptionally moving examination of the situation in Gaza showcases that genocide isn’t a phenomenon from the past but an occurrence today, gaining widespread support across various global locations. Indeed, the popularity surge behind right-wing politicians once again confirms millions appreciating the opportunity to annihilate opponents in their quest for ‘security’, retribution and a wholesome nationalistic view.
Given the circumstances and the path we are on, adopting a naive stance, believing our tension-laden democratic systems can endure the existing polycrisis stably, may not prove wise. What unfolds subsequently, Seymour explains, will be decided by our aptitude to vitalise the blueprints of our societies, surpassing the merely conservative approach of upholding faith in corroding systems. Our objective should be to eradicate the conditions that breed such delusions. Disaster Nationalism, in essence, is a robust rejection of these illusions, advocating fervently for a compelling shift in direction.
The author, Ian Hughes, is known for his book “Disordered Minds: How Dangerous Personalities are Destroying Democracy”.