Fascists, populists and demagogues exploit this flaw in human nature to rise up. They promise big things using big words to masses of people who are uneducated, jaded, or both.

Some people in Spain, like in many other countries right now (USA, Greece, Italy...) are turning to fascism because they feel squeezed dry and let down (unemployment, Covid economic hangover, inflation, etc.) by their current governments, so they run to the people sat in the opposite (or most extreme) end of the political spectrum hoping they can turn things around.

With such a simplistic, binary mindset, coupled with a younger generation of voters who have not experienced what it's like to live in a fascist country, it's no wonder fascism and belligerent nationalism are gaining traction in the West. I just hope we can turn things around before more European countries follow on Hungary's steps.

[–] modulus@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It's not primarily the younger voters going fash though. Otherwise I mostly agree with your comment.

[–] LiamMayfair@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 1 year ago

The younger voters are indeed pushing fascism, at least in Spain. I had also assumed ultraconservative, nationalist movements would be more popular with the older demographic in Spain but, proving my point that it's those who didn't experience Franco's dictatorship who are buying into the far-right ideals, Vox voters are on average 8 years younger than voters of other parties in the country (apologies for the link to Spanish media).

I don't know if this is any different in other countries but in Spain the people swallowing the fascist pill are very much your archetypical white, privileged, young male.

[–] jalda@sopuli.xyz 5 points 1 year ago

I am not familiar with the demographics of other countries, but in Spain, Vox is quite popular amongst the young people. Old people tend to be very loyal to "their" party and keep voting PP, even though they agree with Vox's main talking points.

[–] sneezycat@sopuli.xyz 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Which is ironic, because the rights those people have, like unemployment, WILL go away if the far-right wins, and they'll be worse off.

[–] huojtkeg@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

You are mixing far-right with liberals (less regulation). In Spain there aren't liberal partys. You can check the group they belong in the EU parlament.