The Anti-Democratic nature of the Far-Right

Across the globe, far-right political movements are gaining traction, either seizing power or positioning themselves to do so. These factions often promote openly discriminatory agendas and policies that target minority groups—be they immigrants, members of the LGBTQ+ community, or religious minorities. furthermore, they frequently challenge established women’s rights [[2]].

Contrary to their claims, these policies do not benefit the working class. Evidence suggests that elected officials aligned with the far-right often oppose measures designed to increase wages, promote social justice, or redistribute wealth. Moreover,when in power,these groups tend to undermine essential public services by slashing budgets,particularly those allocated to public education,higher education,and scientific research.

Beyond economic policies, the far-right often curtails essential rights and freedoms, engaging in what can be described as political and ideological witch hunts reminiscent of darker periods in Western history. They also tend to dismiss the urgency of addressing the ecological crisis.

the Battle for Ideas: How the Far-Right Seeks Hegemony

A core strategy of the extreme right at the international level is to win the battle of ideas. This is achieved through a multi-pronged approach, utilizing the internet, social networks, conventional media, and even acquiring control over major media outlets with the backing of wealthy individuals who share their ideological goals. This constitutes a form of public pedagogy aimed at establishing the dominance of their ideas.

Moreover, they systematically undermine rational public discourse by distorting the meaning of words, ideas, and actions. Such as, attacks on the independence of the judiciary and equality before the law are framed as defenses of public media. Similarly, attacks on public media are presented as defenses of self-reliant details. This Orwellian tactic extends to democratic counter-powers and collective organizations, with attacks on these institutions being portrayed as defenses of democracy and freedom of expression.

Adding to this, a strategy of constant verbal excess, often involving falsehoods, xenophobia, and discrimination, is employed. When challenged, they portray themselves as victims of censorship and suppression.

The Duty of Educators: Reaffirming Democratic Values

Educators bear a unique responsibility to reaffirm democratic values, combat discrimination, and uphold the principles of equality, freedom, social justice, and human dignity.They must actively fight against misinformation and the distortion of scientific knowledge. Furthermore, they play a crucial role in defending the very conditions necessary for free and democratic public debate.

The horrors of World War II and the rise of fascism in Germany serve as a stark reminder that simply declaring a democracy is insufficient to guarantee its survival. It is essential to educate citizens, foster critical thinking, and actively combat the enemies of democracy. The current resurgence of far-right ideologies underscores the urgency of this task.

A Call to Educational Resistance

We, as educators, reaffirm our commitment to democratic education and the principles of scientific knowledge. We call upon all sectors of education to engage in educational resistance to defend these values against obscurantist forces that threaten the fundamental principles of democracy and scientific inquiry.

For this purpose, we urge individuals to connect with professional associations, collectives, and unions that are actively organizing collective resistance.