Rising Public Anger Fuels Right-Wing Appeal as Social Support Falters

Feelings of exclusion and helplessness are driving a surge of anger that extremist groups readily harness. The author warns that a government indifferent to these grievances only amplifies the problem, pushing more people toward radical right-wing narratives. Concepts like “positive individualisation” create a stark divide between those climbing the social ladder and those left unemployed or evicted, fostering fatalism and resentment.

Drawing on Adorno’s critique and Eric Klinenberg’s study of Chicago’s heat wave, the article highlights how robust local institutions—libraries, parks, community shops—can sustain solidarity and reduce mortality in crises. Conversely, where such social infrastructure collapses, individuals die alone and communities fracture, providing fertile ground for extremist recruitment.