THE RISE OF FAR - RIGHT IDEOLOGIES:
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE 21ST AND 20TH
CENTURY
Pablo Martín Bermejo
Nationalism
Authoritarianism
Anti - immigrant sentiment
Anti - liberal stances
Opposition to globalism
DEFINITION
Fascism: Hitler, Mussolini, Franco
Right - wing populism: Trump, Bolsonaro, Orban
20th 21st
20th century: Origins and Growth
Post WWI discontent in Europe: Treaty of Versailles, economic hardship
Economic instability: 1930s Great Depression
Fascism and National Socialism as an answer to communism and liberalism
Authoritarian leaders and their promises
20th century: Origins and Growth
1922 1933
1936
20th century: Key points
Economic situation: Great Depression and mass unemployement
Fear of Communism: Agains the Russian Revolution and bolshevism
Social Unrest: Class struggles, strikes and political polarization
Cultural Backlash: Traditionalism vs Modernism
21st century: Origins and Growth
Rise of populism: 2008 financial crisis, austerity measures and economic
inequality
Immigration Crisis: Conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, and economic
disparity.
Globalization Backlash: Perception of cultural dilution, job loss, and
sovereignty erosion.
Social Media and Disinformation: The role of social media in amplifying farright
messages.
20th century: Origins and Growth
Graph of economic inequality trends and populist vote share
over time.
21st century: Key points
Economic situation: Post-2008
financial crisis recession, job
insecurity, stagnation
Cultural Shifts: Fear of demographic
changes, particularly in Europe, due
to immigration.
Political Polarization: Increased
division between left-wing and
right-wing ideologies, amplified by
media
Globalization and Sovereignty: The
loss of control over borders and
national identity.
COMPARING THE 20TH AND 21ST
CENTURY FAR-RIGHT MOVEMENTS
Ideological Similarities: Nationalism, authoritarianism, anti-immigration,
anti-establishment rhetoric.
Differences in Context:
20th century: Reaction to direct economic collapse, war, and communism.
21st century: Reaction to globalized economy, migration, and technological
disruption.
Role of Technology: Social media and the internet in spreading far-right
ideology today vs. the role of propaganda and mass media in the past.
Aspect Hitler's Rise (1930s) Trump's Election (2016)
Context
Post-WWI Germany: Economic hardship, humiliation after
Versailles, rise of Nazi ideology.
Post-Great Recession U.S.: Economic anxiety, cultural
shifts, frustration with elites.
Populist Appeal
Exploited national humiliation, blamed Jews & communists,
promised national revival.
Promised to "Make America Great Again", blamed
immigrants & elites for America’s decline.
Media Strategy
Used propaganda (speeches, rallies, films) to unify and radicalize
public.
Mastered social media, particularly Twitter, to
bypass media and energize supporters.
Scapegoating
Blamed Jews, communists, and the Weimar Republic for
Germany's problems.
Targeted immigrants, Muslims, and media as threats
to American identity.
Violence & Extremism
Organized violence (SA, SS), suppressed opposition, led to WWII
and the Holocaust.
Rhetoric emboldened far-right groups, but no statesponsored
violence during his rise.
Path to Power
Appointed Chancellor in 1933, dismantled democracy via the
Reichstag Fire and Enabling Act.
Won through the Electoral College, no dismantling of
democratic institutions.
Global Impact Led to WWII, genocide, and global devastation.
Divisive domestic politics, but no military conflict or
genocide.
CASE STUDIES – 20TH CENTURY VS.
21ST CENTURY
WHY IS THE FAR-RIGHT RESURGENT?
KEY POINTS:
Economic Anxiety: Stagnation, inequality, and the failure of neoliberal
policies.
Identity Politics: The quest for cultural, national, and religious identity amidst
globalization and migration.
Perceived Threats: Economic, cultural, and demographic changes perceived as
existential threats.
Media and Polarization: The role of social media in amplifying divisive rhetoric and
misinformation.
Far-right ideologies have risen in both centuries due to a combination of
economic, political, and cultural factors.
While the specifics of each rise are different (20th century fascism vs. 21st
century populism), both are rooted in fear of change, loss of identity, and
economic discontent.
The role of media and technology in modern far-right
movements has amplified the speed and scope of these ideologies’ spread.
CONCLUSION