"Germany's Far Right: A Threat to Democracy"
COMPOSITION by: SIERRA MENDOZA ✦ UNITED STATES
Introduction
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
— George Santayana
In George Orwell's classic Animal Farm, ambitious farm animals triumph overthrow their
tyrannical farmer to create a fair and equitable society. But as they assume control, the pigs
become indistinguishable from the humans they once despised. The narrative provides a
warning about the dangers of innocence, complacency, and the weakness of idealism. Given
the growth of far-right movements in contemporary times, Orwell's allegory appears
shockingly current. This is especially evident in Germany, where the Alternative for Germany
(AfD) party with extremist links is growing exponentially.
This is a global warning, not only a German one. As emerging leaders, the youth have to pay
attention to this alarming event. The survival of democracy depends on our alertness, critical
thinking, and active engagement since it is brittle. The atrocities committed by the Nazi
government serve as a stark reminder of what happens when ignorance and naivety allow
authoritarianism to spiral out of control.
The emergence of the AfD, historical lessons from Germany, and the need for young leaders to
preserve democracy are discussed in this paper.
II. The Rise of the AfD: A Far-Right Resurgence
Reacting to the Eurozone crisis of 2008, the Eurosceptic party The Alternative for Germany
(AfD) was established in 2013. Originally written off as a fringe movement, the AfD acquired
momentum by appealing to anti-immigrant feelings amid the 2015 Syrian migrant crisis. Since
World War Two, this party has been the most culturally nationalist one to join Germany's
parliament.
The birth of the AfD marks a cultural and intellectual change, rather than only political. The
party’s rhetoric often echoes the worst periods of Germany's past. For instance, Alexander
Gauland, the chairman of the AfD, famously dismissed the Nazi era as a mere "speck of shit in
over 1,000 years of successful German history.”1 Such comments are dangerous as well as
obscene. They minimize the Holocaust and doubt Germany's will to face its past.
The electoral victory of the AfD clearly portrays its increasing impact. Ranked sixth in the Bundestag, the party obtained 10.3% of the vote in the 2021 federal elections. Above all, as the second most popular party in eastern Germany, the AfD is expected to win state elections there. The growing popularity of the AfD marks a change in Germany's political landscape, especially in reaction to issues about immigration and national identity. This change from the majority to the mainstream serves as a stark reminder of how rapidly extremist ideologies can gain traction when economic and social conditions are ripe.
Comparisons to the emergence of the Nazi Party in the 1930s have been made about the AfD's proliferating support. Studies published by The Economist expose startling similarities between the areas that voted for the Nazis in 1933 and those endorsing the AfD now. AfD support is strong in towns that historically voted for the National Socialist Party and in areas with limited post-war migration. This is not coincidental; rather, it reflects how extreme ideas can be fueled by historical grievances and economic discontent.
The triumph of the AfD also attests to the strength of propaganda. The party has manipulated public anxieties about immigration, economic uncertainty, and cultural identity into favoring their campaigns. As Orwell cautioned, unbridled propaganda and ignorance can weaken democracy.
III. Germany’s Past: A Lesson in Fragility
Germany's present is inseparably tied to its past. One of the worst parts of human history, the Holocaust still shapes German policy and identity. From public memorials and reparations to Holocaust education, Germany has made great attempts at atonement for its history. Still, the trauma of the Holocaust never goes away.
"Sons and daughters continue to shed tears for parents who lost their lives," former German President Horst Köhler observed. Faced with a return to historical hostility, Germany has been wary of its military and international policies due to this cultural memory. But it has also fostered responsibility—a will to make sure such crimes never resurface. The Holocaust serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of unchecked tyranny. This is a universal lesson for future far-right movements like The Ho the AfD, which try to minimize or reject this past.
The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolized the victory of democracy over autocracy. However, reunification also revealed stark cultural and economic differences between East and West Germany. Many years later, these differences still exist. Former East German areas still suffer with lower incomes and fewer economic opportunities, which provides an ideal ground for far-right populism.
These areas, where discontent with established parties is sharpest, provide the AfD's most ardent support. This reminds us that political vulnerability and economic disparity can compromise democracy, hence paving the road for radical movements.
IV. The Role of Naivety in the Erosion of Democracy
The emergence of the AfD is not just a result of economic and cultural factors — it is also an outcome of naivety. Extremist ideas flourish when people fail to critically assess material, evaluate political narratives, or participate in the democratic process. There is not a new phenomenon. Rising to power legally, Adolf Hitler gained the support of a population that failed to foresee the consequences of their actions. As emerging leaders, we need to learn from this history. Democracy is not a given; it calls for continuous alertness and active involvement.
The accomplishment of the AfD is evidence of the strength of propaganda. The party has acquired a grip on German politics by exploiting fears and spreading disinformation. This is a caution to each of us. Especially in the era of social media, false information travels faster than ever. Without critical thought, we risk the danger of succumbing to the same forces that once drove Germany down a path of ruin.
There are countless exhibits of the party's controversial use of nationalist rhetoric, symbols, and propaganda, such as there use of the phrase "Islamisierung stoppen" throughout their campaigns. Although the inflammatory ad campaigns of the AfD have been attacked as divisive propaganda, they have connected with a sizable segment of voters, consequently augmenting the party's increasing power in German politics.
V. A Call to Action: What Youth Must Do
1. Think Critically, Act Decisively
Starting with critical thinking, today's youth have a duty to defend democracy. We must challenge radical ideas, fact-check material, and question political myths. We cannot afford to be naive. The past of Germany reminds us that democracy is brittle. Inequality, propaganda, and complacency can all help to undermine it. But, we can combat this and reinforce democracy with active involvement, education, and a commitment to justice.
2. Uphold Moral Standards
The pursuits of the AfD, like promoting “traditional” family values, anti-immigration policies, and Euroscepticism remind us that democracy is about ideals rather than only elections. We have to defend the ideas of justice, equality, and human rights. The bases of a fair and equal society are these ones.
We must uphold and protect these values to build a stronger, freer, and more democratic society for the greater good.
3. Engage in the Political Process
Citizen engagement is essential for democracy to thrive. It goes beyond voting and protesting; it involves constantly checking on leaders and holding them accountable. In everyday life, people can deepen their democratic values by actively listening to diverse points of view. Encouraging open communication promotes understanding and reduces polarization. Together, these acts build a more resilient and devoted democracy.
VII. Conclusion: The Fragility of Democracy and the Role of Youth
In summary, Germany’s history characterizes the fragility of democracy. The AfD exposes what results from naively allowing radical ideas to proliferate. Nevertheless, it also provides a path forward. By learning from the past, challenging ideas, and engaging in the political process, we can protect democracy for future generations.
As emerging leaders, the youth of today have a unique role to play. We must be vigilant, uphold moral standards, and fight for a fair and equal society. Though the stakes are high, the rewards are greater. Democracy is not just a form of government — it is a way of life. And it is worth fighting for.
This piece is a call to action. Let us not be naive. Let us learn from the past and fight for a better future. Democracy depends on it.
FOOTNOTES
1. “AfD’s Gauland Plays Down Nazi Era as a ‘Bird Shit’ in German History,” DW, 2 June
2018, www.dw.com.
2. “Germany Election Results 2021,” BBC News, 27 September 2021, www.bbc.com.
3. "Far-Right AfD on Track for Its First Win in Eastern German State Vote,” Reuters, 30 August 2024, www.reuters.com.
4. “New Research Finds Parallels Between German Votes in 1933 and Now,” The
Economist, 16 March 2019, www.economist.com.
5. Horst Köhler, "Speech by Federal President Horst Köhler on the Occasion of the 60th
Anniversary of the End of the War," Bundespraesident.de, 8 May 2005,
www.bundespraesident.de.
6. “East Germany Has Narrowed Economic Gap with West Germany Since Fall of Communism but Still Lags,” Pew Research Center, 6 November 2019, www.pewresearch.org.
7. "Members of the White Rose resistance group distribute anti-Nazi leaflets in Munich, 1942. Their efforts became a symbol of moral resistance during Nazi Germany," United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, www.ushmm.org.
8. “Protesters gather in Chemnitz, Germany, in 2018 to denounce right-wing extremism
and the rise of the AfD party,” Human Rights Watch, www.hrw.org.
9. "Germany: Far-Right Party AfD Makes Major Electoral Gains." BBC News, 4 Sept. 2016,
www.bbc.com.
IMAGES
1. Graph from illustrating the rise in support for the AfD party, comparing its electoral
gains with historical voting trends (The Economist).
