Thomas Biebricher on AfD as a Class Project from Above: Elites Set the Agenda

In a recent interview with the German newspaper der Freitag, political scientist Thomas Biebricher discusses the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and similar right-wing parties in Western countries. Biebricher, a professor of politics in Frankfurt, argues that the AfD should be understood as a 'class project from above,' driven by economic elites, rather than merely as a populist or fascist movement. He criticizes labels like 'fascism' and 'right-wing populism' as inadequate, emphasizing the connection between these new right-wing parties and neoliberalism. The interview comes amid anticipation of the Saxony-Anhalt state election, where the AfD is polling strongly and could potentially win an absolute majority. Biebricher highlights the socio-economic dimension of the party's support, noting that while it gains some backing from wage earners, its agenda is set by elites. The discussion is part of a broader series by der Freitag featuring thinkers like Paul Mason and Jason Stanley on comparable developments in other Western nations.