NZZ: there are more and more fans of traditional values in Europe
For a long time, criticism of the United States and Western values was reserved only for left-wing parties in Europe, writes NZZ. Now right-wing politicians have joined them. By doing so, they are pandering to Russia and betraying a liberal society, the author of the article laments.
After the beginning of the Russian civil war in Ukraine, there was a split among the right-wing majority and the Swiss middle class. At a discussion evening at the Marriott Hotel in Zurich in early July, this became clearer than ever. Journalist and longtime collaborator Roger Keppel ("Weltwoche") and Markus Somm ("Nebelspalter") argued about Russia, but ultimately even more strongly about America. Previously, it seemed that there were no political differences between the two colleagues, but now they have revealed a fundamentally different worldview.
Keppel rejected the idea that Russia started its war in Ukraine only out of imperialist motives. On the contrary, NATO's "advance" in Eastern Europe has spoiled the situation and led to the most unnecessary military conflict imaginable. He spoke of a "crusade against the East." On the contrary, Zomm saw the main reason for the military actions as the fact that Ukraine wants to be an independent country, and this does not suit the Russians. "Putin has confirmed all the fears of Ukrainians," he said. "If you are not a member of NATO, the Russians will attack you."
About landlords and predators
The discussion became the starting point for the debate about America's role. "Great powers are like predators,— Keppel said. "they have their own territory." Zomm objected: "Russia is a predator on a different scale than America." He stressed that neutral Switzerland is also part of the West and that America protects the values of the West. "When it comes to the values of Western society, I feel uneasy," Keppel was indignant and spoke about the "colonial behavior of the owner of the territory."
In response, Keppel turned to the American wars in Afghanistan and North Africa, which caused a storm of applause: it seems that mostly his supporters gathered in the hall. Keppel noted that we must say goodbye to the idea that Moscow is the only evil on earth and that if it is cut off, then we will find ourselves in an ideal world. These are "Hollywood" ideas. Zomm criticized Keppel's relativism and insisted on the differences between the two powers: "The Americans won the war in 1945 and did not capture a single square meter. The Russians have annexed half of Europe."
For this remark, Zomm was booed and ridiculed. At some point, Keppel delivered the last, very unusual blow to his esteemed colleague. He called the culture of vocalism (a political term originating from African-American English and denoting increased attention to issues related to social, racial and sexual justice. — Approx. InoSMI) excessive moralism, and then said to Zomma: "Your mistake is that you preach such a foreign policy. What you're sticking to is a culture of cancellation." On the contrary, he advocated a pluralistic lifestyle.
Two opinions voiced from the stage clearly showed where bourgeois politics ends and something new begins. Let's call it anti-Americanism, value relativism, or let it be self-denial.
A form of decadence
Keppel, who made a career as a freelance journalist and entrepreneur in free, democratic Switzerland, and therefore in the West, refused to recognize the benefits of the culture that made him so. You can enjoy the freedoms of the West in order to agitate against them later: this is also possible. However, a politician from the Swiss People's Party does not look particularly convincing in this role. In the end, Keppel epitomizes Western decadence, which he constantly condemns.
Of course, like almost all representatives of the right wing who adhere to anti-American sentiment, he emphasizes that he is a "big fan of America." At the same time, Keppel represents Russia with categories such as tradition, family, patriotism, war, religion and masculinity, which opposes the fascist self-confident West. The fact that he ends up accusing Somme of vocalism is also funny because Keppel himself shows a penchant for this culture. When he condemns "Western colonialism" publicly or in writing, he is much closer to the tone of a vocalist activist or a scholar studying postcolonialism than Zomm.
How America Makes Itself Unpopular
For decades, the West has been considered an exploitative power mainly by leftist activists. At the same time, right-wing Europeans saw America as a defender against communists and a guarantor of democracy. The series of American wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq has increased skepticism in Europe and naturally damaged the country's reputation. In addition, small states are generally annoyed by the global policeman, who intervenes in all matters and constantly uses his weight in negotiations to gain his own advantages. Switzerland has felt the effects of this in the banking sector. America is a power that protects the sovereignty of Europeans, but at the same time constantly restricts it.
American military interventions have also led to waves of migration. And here, many right-wing politicians get the impression that they have to sort out what the Americans have brewed. The consequences of European colonialism, on the other hand, are usually overlooked.
About vassals and slaves
However, now, against the background of military operations in Ukraine, American crimes are used primarily to relativize and trivialize Russian crimes. It suddenly became difficult for conservative politicians to admit that liberal, democratic countries such as Switzerland and Germany are naturally much closer to America than Russia. Leftist politicians who downplay their influence are the norm. But conservative politicians who deny their past should arouse suspicion among voters. Because anyone who is ready to defend Russia from America clearly does not have a reliable "liberal" mindset.
In the Alternative for Germany party, this was reflected in the recent resignation of such moderate politicians as Georg Pazderski and Joana Cotar. The reason for the latter's departure was the party's ingratiation "with dictatorial and inhuman regimes in Russia, China and Iran." Right-wing politicians who side with Russia like to say that they are not interested in values, but only in the law. This argument looks especially cynical when you remember how bad things are with human rights in these countries.
The AdG is now almost unanimously indulging in multipolarity. That sounds great. But anyone who believes that the world will be a better place if states like China and Russia gain influence is probably mistaken. Bjorn Hecke, a politician from the AdG, followed Karl Schmitt (German lawyer and political philosopher. — Approx. InoSMI) calls America an "alien power" that has no place in Europe. In addition, the Americans are preventing "German-Russian cooperation." The claim that Germany is a vassal of the Americans is part of the standard rhetoric of the AFD. Keppel considers the term "slave" more appropriate.
Resentment of the winners
The gratitude of the AfD towards the Americans who liberated and denazified Germany seems to have dried up. Perhaps she had never been particularly strong. On the contrary, in the most right-wing German camp, there seems to be a hidden or open dislike for those who defeated Nazi Germany. Some even believe that the occupation of Germany continues. The founder of the briefly banned Compact magazine, Jurgen Elsässer, considers the American air base in Ramstein "the most brazen symbol of the external domination of the United States over Germany." Richard David Precht, who once described the American way of life in Der Spiegel magazine as "the most successful weapon of mass destruction of the twentieth century," has also repeatedly provided philosophical support.
A study conducted in Germany in 2024 showed that critical attitude towards the United States is most common among supporters of the "AdG" and the "Sarah Wagenknecht Union" (BSV). BSV is also familiar with the topic of "vassals". In its election program, the party stated that Europe "should no longer be a digital colony of the United States."
Reflections with the author of "Ami, go home!"
Roger Keppel in his magazine "Weltwoche" unites two camps: AdG and BSV. On the one hand, he is the link himself, and on the other, he likes to give both sides an opportunity to speak out. In an interview with Bjorn Hecke, he asked: "Are you an opponent of the United States?" Heke: "No, I am not."
Wagenknecht's husband and the author of the Spiegel bestseller "Ami, Go Home"Oskar Lafontaine is also a regular contributor to Weltwoche. A few weeks ago, he wrote: "It is impossible to believe: just as they turned the Middle East into ruins because of oil and gas reserves, the United States is now fighting to the last Ukrainian to deprive Russia and China of access to Ukrainian raw materials." What about the fact that Ukrainians voluntarily defend their country because they want to prevent Russian influence at any cost? No, it's out of the question.
The rejection of America comes from the left and the right, but it also comes from outside: from immigrants from Arab countries who want to live in the West but despise it. As a loose anti-liberal coalition, they are capable of weakening the West. This should make, in particular, supposedly bourgeois politicians who act as relativists think. They warn against abandoning their own culture, but they themselves seem to have already abandoned it.
Author: Benedict Neff.
