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European democracies are running out of time to turn away from the abyss | Rafael Behr
(www.theguardian.com)
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this post was submitted on 09 Sep 2026
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Everything ends one day.
That’s so true. What are the implications though, for you personally?
These are organizations on a quick rise to power. If they truly intend to drastically reshape state institutions as they propose, they will need new and loyal people to fill specific roles. These parties offer excellent career opportunities, even for those who do not identify with their message and simply seek a comfortable place in the world in a higher social class, especially if you aren't qualified for the job and rely solely on the party's goodwill to keep your position. That's the cynical view.
The more it grows, the more unqualified, loyal careerists will appear. Then, just wait for the whole thing to collapse under its own ill-placed weight. It might hurt and take some time, but you keep surviving until then.
The problem with this approach is: Many do not survive.
Yes, of course.
But both of my grandfathers managed to avoid being sent to fight in Africa during Portugal's Colonial Wars, so it is not impossible. One had connections. The other put a bee in his underwear the day before the inspection. Each did what was within their means to survive. 13 years of war, 41 of fascistic dictatorship.
But Estado Novo was a bit different. Salazar wasn't a populist, for example (quite the opposite, in fact). I doubt these new movements will manage to hold onto power for that long. The man did not create a cult of personality, he was an economics professor before being called upon by the army to serve as Minister of Finance and, subsequently, as Dictator. He was chosen for his academic qualifications, and he is an example of how fascistic technocracy isn't good, but still more stable than fascism, ultranationalist populism.
"just following orders"
That's not the point they were making. They weren't suggesting that they personally were looking forward to becoming a party apparatchik. What they are saying is that the structure of these parties incentivizes both the party to empower loyal but unqualified people, and for unqualified people to seek upwards mobility through the party. Then, as the party grows and more of those types of people are put in positions of authority, eventually the whole thing collapses from incompetence.
I dont think the reasons for obeying matter for the victims
Once they are in power, you can also follow orders to survive, but be as incompetent as you can to contribute to their downfal.
That’s what happened in the Netherlands, the right wing was incapable of finding professional ministers for the cabinet. But one cannot claim that the Netherlands is now a perfect liberal democracy again…
no, they dont.