420 sats \ 36 replies \ @carlosfandango 9 Feb \ parent \ on: Does the Economy Need Migrants? and related discussion econ
My issue with unchecked migration (beyond the downward pressure on unskilled labour as you mention and the demand for essential services) is that it almost inevitably leads to far-right populism in politics…. the fear of the ‘other’, real or imagined, is a powerful motivator for people to vote in authoritarian types.
it almost inevitably leads to far-right populism
That's been my concern with most of the ridiculous left-wing stuff over the past decade or so.
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As a counter-reaction to it?
As an aside, Illegal migration was actually covered up by some socialist European governments in the 00s. It was their dirty secret… and now many left wing parties have no solution for the voters concerns feeling they have been betrayed.
There are 70+ elections in the world this year.. I can see this being the year of the ‘strong man’ (and I use that word deliberately).
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Voters feel betrayed because that have been betrayed and ignored
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As a counter-reaction to it?
Exactly. While I think many of the policies being pushed by the left are dumb, I think the potential reactions to them are more dangerous. When people feel threatened, high-minded moral principles go right out the window.
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That ship has already sailed and isn’t coming back
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We'll have to build a new one then.
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We need to build a wall
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Go ahead. Or do you mean I need to be stolen from so that my money can be used to build a wall against my will?
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Should we ignore the will of voters who support building a wall
Your statement is appallingly elitist. Unchecked immigration is a legitimate concern for the middle and working class
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Not sure how it’s elitist… I guess I could say i am an unskilled labourer by day and it’s a concern for me and my cohort. Or just suggest that not all the ‘facts’ that politicians spread about immigration come to pass… hence real and imagined.
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Maybe politicians should listen to voters, real voters with real concerns.
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Which part is imaginary?
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Ok. I’ll pick - the drug crisis is the result of illegal migration.
To quote Mike Johnson:
“America is at a breaking point with record levels of illegal immigration. We have lethal drugs that are pouring into our country at record levels.”
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Johnson never said the drug crisis is caused by illegal immigration. He implied it is exacerbated by illegal immigration from Mexico
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“Our southern border is already overwhelmed with illegal migrants and dangerous drugs.”
- Mike Johnson
Implied? That seems like conflagration.
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The drug crisis is not relevant. The more pressing issue is 10,000 illegal entry daily
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What is the difference between far right and not so far right? Serious question
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Apparently the higher the incidence of extreme or divisive rhetoric the further the relative rightness…
The definition of extreme and divisive rhetoric is however entirely subjective and it is numerically unquantifiable by sensible people.
On a serious note and as an observation the ‘far right politicians’ seem to come from outside politics.. they rarely ‘grow more extreme’ while in politics… but I could be talking out of my arse.
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Extreme and divisive are not the same. Most if not all important issues are divisive. Divisive is an excuse to shut down debate and suppress right wing views
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I think you're correct that "far-right" really isn't about political philosophy. It seems to be more about how much the establishment dislikes someone.
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Is the climate agenda far left or science
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The climate agenda is not science. Climate science is science.
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I agree, but as a highly politicized issue that is largely funded by politicians, there's relatively little climate science.
I've written about the struggles and experiences I've had as someone who occasionally does work related to climate change and has a background in climate science. It is much easier to publish work that comes to the "right conclusions" and much more difficult to get research approved that may counter the narrative.
I'd say it's pretty fair to call most of what the public thinks of as "climate science" leftwing propaganda.
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Milei, Trump, Le Pen, PVV in Netherlands 🇳🇱, the right wing populist in Brazil, etc
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It’s like saying my problem with unchecked violent crime is that it attracts anti crime politicians
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Why do you assume populists are authoritarians? Authoritarians can and frequently are left wing and elitist
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