The far-right’s infiltration into the West’s mainstream, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• Far-right ideologies are increasingly influencing mainstream politics in the West, impacting countries like Italy, France, and Germany.
• Donald Trump's administration in the U.S. is implementing policies that reflect hard-right ideologies, such as constricting birthright citizenship and increasing H-1B visa costs.
• The rise of far-right movements can affect visa regimes, multiculturalism, and the safety of the Indian diaspora in countries like the U.K. and Europe.
• A democratic counter-strategy requires addressing material grievances, maintaining firewalls against extremist alliances, ensuring responsible media practices, and promoting civic courage.

Detailed Insights:

• The normalization of far-right agendas is a gradual process, marked by local wins and tactical coalitions that shift policy and politics.
• Traditional conservative parties are increasingly adopting hard-right positions on issues like immigration and multiculturalism to retain voters.
• The U.S. is experiencing a rightward drift with policies such as the resurrection of "Schedule F" and a proposed $100,000 charge on new H-1B visa petitions.
• India has a diplomatic interest in the quality of liberal democracy among key partners, as shifts in pluralism and human rights can affect Indian students, businesses, and communities abroad.
• Counter-strategies involve addressing economic anxieties without scapegoating minorities, resisting extremist alliances, and promoting accuracy in public debate.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ethno-nationalism: A form of nationalism that defines the nation in terms of ethnicity.
• Welfare-chauvinism: Prioritizing welfare benefits for certain groups, typically native-born citizens, while excluding others, such as immigrants.
• Pluralism: The acceptance and integration of diverse groups within a society or political system.