From Sheltered Youth to AfD: Seeßlen Probes Female Fascism in Europe
In an article for Der Freitag, film scholar Georg Seeßlen investigates the emergence of right-wing extremism in Europe, focusing on figures like Alice Weidel, Giorgia Meloni, and Marine Le Pen. He probes whether 21st-century fascism possesses a feminine aspect, highlighting Weidel's association with the far-right AfD and her former classmates' assertions regarding her indifference to politics. The discussion transitions into a philosophical contemplation of human nature, proposing that individuals uniquely grapple with self-awareness. Seeßlen contends that while some individuals offer authentic insights, numerous others hinder comprehension through deceit and aggression. The piece blends political analysis with existential musings, prompting inquiries into the reasons behind women's involvement in extremist movements.
Key facts
- Alice Weidel, Giorgia Meloni, and Marine Le Pen are presented as key figures shaping right-wing extremism in Europe.
- The article raises the question of whether 21st-century fascism has become female.
- Weidel's background is described as sheltered ('behüteten Verhältnissen').
- A look into Weidel's past is said to offer clues about her political trajectory.
- The title references former classmates' claims that Weidel was never interested in politics.
- The author, Georg Seeßlen, offers a philosophical reflection on human nature.
- Humans are described as expending energy to understand themselves while simultaneously expending more energy to avoid that understanding.
- For every person who conveys insight about human nature, there are many who resist and fill the resulting emptiness with cunning and violence.
Entities
Artists
- Alice Weidel
- Giorgia Meloni
- Marine Le Pen
- Georg Seeßlen
Institutions
- AfD
Locations
- Europe