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Capitalism's distorted perception fuels right-wing populism, argues new book

opinion-review · 2026-06-11

In a recent article for Der Freitag, Sabine Nuss argues that the rise of right-wing parties cannot be fully explained by material losses or social decline alone. She points to a new book by sociologists Carolin Amlinger and Oliver Nachtwey, "Zerstörungslust. Elemente des demokratischen Faschismus," which suggests that behind the choice of far-right parties often lies a "destructive personality" rooted in biographical ruptures such as illness, divorce, or unemployment. Nuss adds that capitalism itself generates a mystified perception of reality that aligns with right-wing ideologies, and that the current discourse on why people vote right-wing overlooks this systemic factor.

Key facts

  • Article published in Der Freitag by Sabine Nuss.
  • Discusses reasons for the rise of right-wing parties.
  • References book 'Zerstörungslust. Elemente des demokratischen Faschismus' by Carolin Amlinger and Oliver Nachtwey.
  • Book argues that destructive personality, often from biographical ruptures, drives far-right voting.
  • Nuss claims capitalism creates a mystified perception of reality that favors right-wing ideologies.
  • Material losses and social decline are insufficient explanations for right-wing voting.

Entities

Institutions

  • Der Freitag

Sources