Divided We Fall: How the Far-Right scapegoats immigrants for the elites
How the Far-Right Distracts from the True Powers Behind Global Inequality
The Fracturing of Truth: From Anti-Elite Unity to Far-Right Division
In the years following the September 11 attacks, a unique phenomenon emerged: a unified truther movement that transcended traditional political divides. Left-wing activists, libertarians, and even some conservatives found common ground in their distrust of elites, opposition to war, and skepticism of corporate and governmental power. From Occupy Wall Street to the scrutiny of secretive groups like the Bilderbergers, this movement was not about left or right—it was about truth, accountability, and justice.
This era was characterized by a rare unity, fueled in part by the 2008 financial crisis, which exposed the fragility of the global economic system and the complicity of banks, corporations, and governments in perpetuating inequality. Movements like Occupy Wall Street captured the public’s imagination, rallying people around slogans like "We are the 99%" and drawing attention to the disproportionate power of the elite. At the same time, conspiracy theories about shadowy groups like the Bilderbergers and the Illuminati gained traction—not as fringe ideas, but as metaphors for the opaque and unaccountable systems that governed the world.
The internet played a crucial role in fostering this movement, providing a platform for alternative narratives and grassroots organizing. For a brief moment, it seemed as though the old political divides might be overcome in favor of a broader, more inclusive struggle against systemic corruption and inequality. But this unity was fragile. Beneath the surface, tensions simmered. While some focused on economic inequality and corporate greed, others were drawn to narratives about cultural decay and national identity. These differences would come to a head in 2015, when the arrival of over a million refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and other war-torn regions became a polarizing issue.
The far-right seized the moment to redefine the narrative. What began as a collective quest for truth fractured into a landscape of fear, nationalism, and division. This essay explores how the far-right emerged from the ashes of a once-unified anti-elite movement and how their rise reflects not just a response to immigration, but a deeper failure to address the systemic issues that unite us all.
The Fracture of 2015: The Rise of the Far-Right
The year 2015 marked a turning point for Germany and much of Europe. The Syrian civil war, which displaced millions, was not merely a regional conflict but a direct consequence of decades of Western intervention in the Middle East. The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the NATO intervention in Libya in 2011, and the arming of so-called 'moderate rebels' in Syria created a power vacuum that allowed extremist groups like ISIS to flourish. Western governments, including Germany, played a role in destabilizing the region through military action, arms sales, and alliances with authoritarian regimes. The refugees arriving on Europe’s shores were not just fleeing war—they were fleeing wars that Western powers had helped create.
Germany, under Chancellor Angela Merkel, opened its borders to over a million refugees, a decision celebrated by some as a humanitarian triumph and condemned by others as a threat to national identity and security. This moment of crisis exposed the fault lines within the anti-elite movement. While many recognized the hypocrisy of Western governments—claiming to promote democracy abroad while destabilizing entire regions—others succumbed to fear and xenophobia, blaming refugees rather than the policies that forced them to flee.
The far-right was quick to exploit this division. Groups like Pegida (Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West) and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerged as vocal opponents of immigration, framing the crisis as a clash of civilizations rather than a humanitarian issue. They tapped into fears of cultural erosion, economic competition, and security threats, offering a narrative that resonated with those who felt left behind by globalization and disillusioned by the political establishment. Yet, these groups conveniently ignored the role of Western governments in creating the very conditions they now decried.
This shift was not limited to political parties or grassroots movements. Figures like Ken Jebsen, once a vocal critic of corporate power and government corruption, began to frame their critiques in terms of cultural identity, warning of an 'Islamization' of Europe. Similarly, Nuoviso, a platform that once explored conspiracy theories about global elites, shifted its focus to anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim narratives, appealing to a growing audience of disillusioned viewers. Even in the gaming world, streamers like Asmongold, who once championed progressive causes, began to echo far-right talking points, blaming immigrants and Muslims for societal problems. These shifts were not coincidental; they were part of a broader strategy to redirect anger away from systemic issues and toward marginalized groups.
What made the far-right’s rise particularly insidious was its ability to co-opt the language of the anti-elite movement. They positioned themselves as defenders of the 'little man' against the 'globalist elite,' accusing Merkel and other leaders of prioritizing refugees over ordinary citizens. This rhetoric was effective because it contained a kernel of truth: the elites had indeed failed to address systemic issues like economic inequality, deindustrialization, and political disenfranchisement. But instead of directing this anger toward systemic change, the far-right redirected it toward immigrants, creating a scapegoat for problems they had no intention of solving.
The result was a profound shift in the political landscape. The once-unified anti-elite movement fractured into competing factions, with the far-right dominating the narrative. What had begun as a quest for truth and justice devolved into a culture war, pitting citizens against each other while the elites remained untouched. The far-right’s success lay not in offering solutions, but in diverting attention from the real culprits: the governments and corporations that had profited from war and exploitation, both at home and abroad.
The Role of Corporate Elites in Fueling the Far-Right
The idea that far-right movements oppose the elite is a carefully constructed illusion. In reality, corporate interests actively fund and promote these movements while benefiting from the economic conditions that fuel right-wing populism. Reports from OpenSecrets and the Center for Media and Democracy reveal that billionaires such as the Koch brothers and Peter Thiel have funneled significant amounts of money into right-wing media outlets and political movements. The Koch network, for instance, played a pivotal role in funding the Tea Party, a precursor to Trumpism, which championed policies favoring deregulation and tax cuts for the wealthy.
Corporate-backed media outlets like Fox News, Breitbart, and Rebel Media amplify nationalist and xenophobic narratives while distracting the working class from structural economic issues. The Murdoch family, which controls major right-wing media entities, has repeatedly used its platform to push anti-immigrant sentiment while advocating for policies that benefit corporations. Additionally, investigations by the EU Transparency Register and OpenSecrets show that major corporations lobby extensively for deregulation, often leveraging far-right movements to stoke cultural divisions and prevent class-based solidarity. Fossil fuel giants have also been linked to far-right climate denial groups, further illustrating the deep ties between corporate power and reactionary politics.
Economic Inequality & the Far-Right’s Rise
The far-right’s appeal is rooted in real economic grievances, but it redirects working-class anger away from capitalists and toward marginalized communities. Data from Oxfam’s Annual Wealth Report demonstrates the stark inequality fueling discontent: in 2023, the richest 1% captured nearly two-thirds of all new global wealth, while wages stagnated for the majority of workers. In regions experiencing deindustrialization, such as the U.S. Rust Belt and Germany’s former industrial zones, studies from MIT and Harvard show a direct correlation between economic decline and support for right-wing populism.
Precarious employment is another factor. Reports from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Eurostat indicate that 40% of young workers in Europe are in temporary or part-time contracts, making them particularly vulnerable to economic instability. Far-right parties exploit this uncertainty, offering simplistic scapegoats such as immigrants and left-wing policies rather than addressing the systemic failures of neoliberal capitalism.
Militarization & State Surveillance
While the far-right portrays itself as anti-establishment, it benefits from state power. Amnesty International, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and Privacy International have documented how post-9/11 anti-terror laws have been used to expand government surveillance, disproportionately targeting leftists and minority communities. For instance, France’s counterterrorism laws have been employed against environmental activists, demonstrating how state power is selectively wielded.
Meanwhile, military spending continues to overshadow social investment. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the U.S. allocates over $800 billion annually to defense while resisting universal healthcare. In Europe, far-right narratives often justify increased policing and military expansion under the guise of national security. Investigations by Bellingcat, Der Spiegel, and The Intercept reveal a troubling pattern of far-right sympathizers infiltrating law enforcement and military structures, as seen in Germany’s KSK scandal, where extremist networks were uncovered within elite military units.
The 2015 Refugee Crisis & the Far-Right’s Growth
The far-right’s modern resurgence was significantly fueled by the 2015 refugee crisis. Data from the UNHCR shows that over 1.3 million refugees arrived in Europe that year, primarily fleeing conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Germany alone accepted more than 1 million asylum seekers, a decision that was immediately exploited by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and other far-right groups to stoke fear and resentment.
Political science studies from Pew Research, the Bertelsmann Stiftung, and European election analyses confirm that anti-refugee sentiment translated directly into far-right electoral gains. The AfD, for example, surged from 4.7% of the vote in 2013 to 12.6% in 2017, reflecting how reactionary forces weaponized migration to expand their influence.
The Far-Right’s Broader Agenda: Distraction from Systemic Issues
While the far-right’s rhetoric often centers on immigration and cultural identity, their agenda extends far beyond these issues. At its core, the far-right is a reactionary movement that thrives on fear and division while obscuring the systemic failures that fuel its rise. By framing immigration as the primary threat, they divert attention from the real culprits: capitalism, war-mongering, and the concentration of power among elites.
Capitalism, with its relentless pursuit of profit, has created the economic inequalities that make far-right narratives so appealing. Deindustrialization, wage stagnation, and the erosion of social safety nets have left many feeling abandoned by the system. Yet, instead of addressing these issues, the far-right blames immigrants for 'stealing jobs' or 'draining resources,' ignoring the role of corporations and policymakers in outsourcing labor, suppressing wages, and cutting public services. This scapegoating serves a dual purpose: it absolves the elites of responsibility while sowing division among those who might otherwise unite against them.
Similarly, the far-right’s focus on cultural identity obscures the role of Western governments in perpetuating war and instability. The wars in Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq—conflicts that have displaced millions—were not inevitable. They were the result of deliberate decisions by political and corporate elites, driven by geopolitical ambitions and economic interests. By framing these conflicts as distant 'cultural' problems, the far-right deflects attention from the complicity of Western powers in creating the conditions for mass displacement.
They ignore the arms deals, the support for authoritarian regimes, and the exploitation of resources that have fueled these wars, choosing instead to portray refugees as invaders rather than victims.
Perhaps most insidiously, the far-right’s anti-elitism is a hollow facade. While they rail against 'globalists' and 'elites,' their policies often align with the interests of the very same elites they claim to oppose. Tax cuts for the wealthy, deregulation of corporations, and the erosion of workers’ rights are hallmarks of far-right governance, all of which exacerbate the inequalities that drive their supporters into their arms. Their nationalism is not a challenge to elite power but a smokescreen, one that allows them to consolidate power while maintaining the status quo.
In this way, the far-right’s agenda is not just about immigration or culture—it is about preserving a system that benefits the few at the expense of the many. By redirecting anger toward immigrants and other marginalized groups, they ensure that the real issues—capitalism, war, and elite corruption—remain unaddressed. The tragedy is that their supporters, many of whom are genuinely suffering under the weight of these systemic failures, are being manipulated into fighting the wrong battles.
Missed Opportunities for Unity: A Shared Struggle Against Elites
The refugee crisis of 2015 was not just a humanitarian challenge—it was also a missed opportunity for solidarity. The immigrants arriving in Germany and elsewhere were not merely victims of war; they were also victims of the same systemic forces that the anti-elite movement had long opposed: capitalism, militarism, and elite exploitation. They had fled countries destabilized by Western interventions, economic exploitation, and authoritarian regimes propped up by foreign powers. In many ways, their struggle was our struggle. Yet, instead of uniting with them against a common enemy, the far-right succeeded in turning them into scapegoats.
The anti-elite movement that had thrived before 2015—united in its distrust of banks, corporations, and governments—could have embraced these immigrants as allies. After all, both groups were casualties of a global system that prioritized profit over people. The working-class communities in Germany who felt abandoned by globalization and the refugees fleeing war-torn regions were two sides of the same coin. Both had been failed by the elites, yet instead of recognizing this shared plight, the far-right drove a wedge between them.
Imagine if the movement had taken a different path. What if, instead of blaming immigrants for economic hardship, we had joined forces to demand accountability from the corporations and governments that created these conditions? What if we had organized protests not against refugees, but against the arms dealers and war profiteers who fueled the conflicts they were fleeing? What if we had built coalitions that transcended borders, uniting workers, activists, and immigrants in a common struggle for justice and equality?
This was not an impossible dream. In fact, there were glimpses of such solidarity in the early days of the refugee crisis. Grassroots initiatives sprang up across Germany, with ordinary citizens welcoming refugees, providing food and shelter, and advocating for their rights. These acts of kindness and solidarity showed that another path was possible—one based on empathy, shared humanity, and a recognition of our interconnected struggles.
But these efforts were overshadowed by the far-right’s divisive rhetoric, which painted immigrants as a threat rather than as potential allies. The media and political establishment amplified this narrative, framing the crisis as a zero-sum game in which helping refugees meant harming citizens. This false dichotomy obscured the reality that both groups were being exploited by the same system. By pitting them against each other, the far-right ensured that the real enemy—the elites—remained unchallenged.
The tragedy of this missed opportunity is that it left both groups weaker. Immigrants, already vulnerable and marginalized, faced increased hostility and discrimination. Working-class communities, misled by the far-right’s scapegoating, found themselves fighting the wrong battles, their anger misdirected toward those who shared their grievances rather than those who caused them. In the end, the only winners were the elites, who continued to profit from war, inequality, and division.
The Far-Right’s Endgame: Oligarchy, Technocracy, and the Erosion of Freedom
While the far-right’s rhetoric often centers on immigration and cultural identity, their ultimate agenda extends far beyond these issues. In fact, their focus on divisive narratives serves as a smokescreen for a much darker reality: the consolidation of power by a small group of elites and the creation of a technocratic, surveillance-driven society. This agenda is not unique to Germany or Europe—it is a global phenomenon, exemplified by the second term of Donald Trump in the United States and the rise of oligarchic systems worldwide.
During Trump’s presidency, immigration was a central narrative, used to stoke fear and division among the population. From the infamous border wall to the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border, the administration’s policies were framed as necessary measures to protect national security and cultural identity. Yet, behind this rhetoric lay a far more insidious agenda: the erosion of democratic norms, the concentration of power among elites, and the normalization of surveillance and control.
Trump’s administration is marked by the increasing influence of technocrats and corporate elites, many of whom see the chaos and division as an opportunity to advance their own interests. Under the guise of “efficiency” and “innovation,” they push for policies that prioritize corporate profits over human rights, privacy, and freedom. The rise of big tech companies, with their vast data collection capabilities and influence over public discourse, play a key role in this shift. Figures like Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, openly speculate about a future where humans will be “on their best behavior” under the watchful eye of surveillance systems—a vision that aligns more closely with Orwell’s dystopia than with any notion of democracy.
This technocratic agenda is not limited to the United States. Across the globe, governments and corporations are collaborating to create systems of control that transcend borders. From facial recognition technology to social credit systems, the tools of surveillance are becoming increasingly sophisticated, enabling elites to monitor and manipulate populations with unprecedented precision.
The far-right’s focus on immigration and cultural wars serves to distract from this reality, ensuring that the public remains divided and distracted while the foundations of freedom are quietly dismantled.
The irony is that the very people who support the far-right in the name of “freedom” and “national identity” are often the ones most harmed by these policies. The erosion of privacy, the concentration of wealth, and the normalization of surveillance affect everyone, regardless of political affiliation. Yet, by framing these issues as cultural or immigration-related, the far-right ensures that their supporters remain blind to the true nature of the threat.
The endgame is clear: a world where power is concentrated in the hands of a few elites, where dissent is stifled by surveillance and control, and where humans are reduced to data points in a vast, impersonal system. This is not a future that serves the interests of the many—it is a future designed to protect the privileges of the few. And unless we recognize the far-right’s role in enabling this agenda, we risk sleepwalking into a dystopia that leaves no room for freedom, justice, or humanity.
A Path Forward: Rebuilding Unity
The rise of the far-right and the erosion of democratic norms are not inevitable. They are the result of deliberate choices—choices to exploit fear, to sow division, and to prioritize the interests of elites over those of the people. But just as these choices have brought us to this moment, new choices can lead us out of it. To counter the far-right’s agenda and reclaim the anti-elite movement’s original goals, we must focus on three key strategies: reclaiming the narrative, building inclusive coalitions, and addressing systemic issues.
1. Reclaiming the Narrative
The far-right’s success lies in its ability to control the narrative, framing immigration and cultural identity as the primary threats while obscuring the real issues: capitalism, war, and elite corruption. To counter this, we must reframe the debate, emphasizing the interconnectedness of our struggles and the shared responsibility of elites for the crises we face. This means exposing the hypocrisy of far-right leaders who claim to oppose elites while advancing policies that benefit them. It also means using media, art, and education to promote stories of solidarity and resistance, showing that our strength lies in our unity, not our division.
2. Building Inclusive Coalitions
The anti-elite movement of the pre-2015 era showed that unity across political, cultural, and economic lines is possible. To rebuild this unity, we must create spaces where diverse groups—workers, immigrants, activists, and others—can come together to address shared challenges. This requires listening to marginalized voices, acknowledging the ways in which systemic oppression affects different communities, and finding common ground in the fight for justice and equality. Grassroots initiatives, such as community organizing and mutual aid networks, can play a key role in fostering this solidarity, demonstrating that another world is possible when we work together.
3. Addressing Systemic Issues
Ultimately, the far-right’s rise is a symptom of systemic failures—failures that will continue to fuel extremism unless they are addressed. This means tackling economic inequality through policies that prioritize workers’ rights, fair wages, and social safety nets. It means ending the cycle of war and militarism by holding governments and corporations accountable for their role in perpetuating conflict. And it means challenging the concentration of power among elites by advocating for democratic reforms, transparency, and accountability in both government and corporate institutions.
A United Enemy: Recognizing the Common Adversary
At the heart of this movement must be a recognition of our shared adversary: the elites who profit from division, exploitation, and control. Whether it’s the CEOs of tech companies pushing for mass surveillance, the politicians who prioritize corporate interests over public welfare, or the arms dealers who fuel endless wars, these elites are the architects of the crises we face. By uniting against them, we can redirect our collective anger and energy toward meaningful systemic change, creating a world that works for the many, not the few.
Hope for the Future
The challenges we face are immense, but they are not insurmountable. History has shown that when people come together to demand justice, they can overcome even the most entrenched systems of oppression. The anti-elite movement of the early 21st century proved that unity is possible, and the grassroots efforts to support refugees and resist far-right extremism have shown that solidarity is alive and well. By building on these foundations, we can create a future that prioritizes humanity over profit, justice over division, and freedom over control.
Conclusion: From Division to Collective Liberation
The rise of the far-right is not just a political trend—it is a symptom of deeper systemic failures. From the economic inequalities created by capitalism to the wars fueled by militarism and elite greed, the crises we face are interconnected. The far-right’s focus on immigration and cultural identity is a distraction, a way to redirect anger and frustration away from the real culprits: the elites who profit from division and exploitation. By pitting people against each other, they ensure that the systems of oppression remain intact, unchallenged and unchanged.
But this is not the end of the story. The anti-elite movement that emerged in the early 21st century showed us that unity is possible. It reminded us that our strength lies in our ability to come together, across differences, to demand accountability and justice. The far-right’s rise is a betrayal of that vision, but it is not irreversible. By reclaiming the narrative, building inclusive coalitions, and addressing systemic issues, we can rebuild a movement that unites rather than divides, that challenges rather than perpetuates the status quo.
The stakes could not be higher. As oligarchic and technocratic systems tighten their grip, the need for collective action becomes more urgent. The far-right’s endgame—a world of surveillance, control, and inequality—is not a future we have to accept. It is a future we can resist, but only if we recognize our shared struggles and our shared adversaries. The immigrants fleeing war, the workers abandoned by globalization, the activists fighting for justice—they are not our enemies. They are our allies in the fight for a better world.
The path forward will not be easy. It will require courage, empathy, and a commitment to truth. But the alternative—a world divided, controlled, and exploited by elites—is unthinkable. We have the power to choose a different future, one rooted in solidarity, justice, and freedom. The question is not whether we can do it, but whether we will.
The time to act is now. Thanks for reading.