JD Vance says Europe should not shun far-right parties. He seems to have forgotten 1933, but hits a key conundrumIn his speech last week at the Munich Security Conference, JD Vance pressed European leaders to stop excluding extremist parties from government. Alluding in particular to Germany’s neo-Nazi Alternative for Germany, or AfD, he accused European leaders of “running in fear of your own voters”. The US vice-president underscored the point by then meeting with the AfD candidate for chancellor.In his view, these extremist parties should be welcomed into the mainstream because they reflect voters’ concern about migration. He evidently was not troubled that the AfD also has a history of using Nazi rhetoric, making racist and antisemitic comments and plotting to overthrow the German government. Continue reading...
Kenneth Roth's article in The Guardian explores the challenge of balancing free speech with preventing extremism. JD Vance advocates for including extremist parties in democratic processes, citing their reflection of voter concerns, particularly regarding migration. However, Roth highlights the risks associated with this approach, referencing the history of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's extremist rhetoric.
Roth discusses the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which allows limiting speech to protect national security and public order, while prohibiting incitement to discrimination or violence. He notes the decline of traditional media and the rise of social media, which complicates speech regulation, as platforms either abandon moderation or, like X (Twitter), are influenced by owners with extreme views.
Roth suggests that while governments may need to regulate speech, there's a risk of unwarranted censorship, as seen in Hungary and Turkey, where leaders suppress dissent. He emphasizes that only extreme positions undermining core rights should be restricted, not controversial views like migration limits. The article underscores the necessity of protecting democratic values while balancing free speech and preventing extremism.
