9 measures against extremism

Promote integration

The asylum procedure should be as unbureaucratic as possible and the responsible authorities should be well staffed so that the asylum procedure runs as quickly as possible. Afterwards, the recognized and tolerated asylum seekers should soon get a job, initially a small, obligatory community service, but soon the regular labour market should also be available to them. Wherever possible, locals and refugees should work together, and part of the work should consist of language learning. The neighbourhoods should have diverse residents and the schools should have children of different ethnicities.

Promote a welcoming culture

It is wrong to claim that the municipalities or any authorities are overburdened by the refugees. If they wanted to, all industrialised nations could take in many more refugees. The basic attitude in the democratic parties should be that we are happy to help people in need.

Take the issues away from the extremist parties

By this I do not mean that we should adopt the agitation against foreigners. On the contrary, let's promote a welcoming culture, encounters with refugees, let's spread their stories! At the same time, it is important to take the mood of the locals into account. If a large proportion of locals are against generous help for refugees, politicians must take appropriate measures within the framework of laws and agreements, i.e. tighten up asylum laws. And they must justify these measures with the mood among the locals and at the same time emphasise that they actually like to help the refugees. In other words, take the issues away from the far-right parties with deeds, not with words!

Don't exaggerate criticism

"We need good policies that convince people" - this demand helps the extrtemistic parties and harms the democratic parties. Because it is the statement behind this sentence: "The government is making bad policies that do not convince the people." It is often an assertion made by the opposition; they exaggerate their criticism of the government in the hope that they will be able to absorb people's dissatisfaction. But exaggerations also have the effect of making people feel reinforced in their dissatisfaction. Please leave the exaggerations to the extremist parties!

I agree that the political and economic system in democracies also needs improvement (less influence of the business lobby on politics and society, social equalisation, climate and environmental protection). But extremist parties only make these problems worse!

Distancing yourself from extremism

It is time to stand up and warn of the dangers of right-wing extremism! The demonstrations against right-wing extremism in Germany in early 2024 caused the far-right AfD to lose several percentage points of support. Politicians should not co-operate with extremists wherever possible. It is also always a good idea to distance yourself from extremism in conversations, events, websites and social media when the opportunity arises.

Someone who merely speaks out in favour of stricter asylum laws is by no means an extremist. However, it starts when someone makes a generalised negative assessment of foreigners (slackers, criminals, etc.). Then it is good to object and differentiate. When we talk to people with extreme views they might tell us conspiracy theories. Then we can try to steer the conversation by asking questions, e.g. about personal fears. If this is not possible, it is usually better to break off the conversation.

Debunk fake news

Extremist parties often successfully use fake news to spread their views; they reach young people in particular via social media. Debunking fake news must be a top priority in schools, above all other subjects! But parents, clubs and churches can also help to raise awareness.

In order to maintain the public's trust, the information must be comprehensive and honest. For example, it is quite true that the crime rate among refugees is somewhat higher than in the population as a whole. It is important that people understand the reasons for this:

1. there is a high proportion of young men among refugees. There is a higher crime rate among young men in all sections of the population, including young native men.
2. refugees often live in poor conditions, which also increases the crime rate.
3. refugees have often experienced hatred and violence in their past (this is often the reason for fleeing). This also increases the tendency towards violence.

Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of refugees are peaceful. It is important that criminality is consistently punished (see measure 2).

Explain democracy

Schools, clubs, churches, everyone must help to convey the principles of democracy to people and to recognize and expose extremist parties that want to undermine these principles (independent legislature, executive and judiciary, independent media and free elections).

Legal measures

Parties that demonstrably reject democracy should actually be banned. Anti-democratic positions have no place in politics, even if a significant proportion of the population holds such views. This is because these positions make decision-making in democratic parties (even) more complicated and offer right-wing extremists an advertising opportunity. It is good to talk to these people, but only outside the parliaments. However, we are now in a situation where in many countries such a party ban could strengthen or radicalise the right-wing extremist scene. Other legal steps may then be better, such as restricting party funding.

Strengthen order and security

When the crime rate rises, public sentiment tends to turn against immigrants and in favour of extremist parties (see also measure 7). When criminal offences are consistently prosecuted and people feel safe, they are less inclined to join extremist parties. Therefore, the police, state security, courts and authorities must be adequately staffed and excessive bureaucracy must be reduced.

Social equalisation, disaster relief, prosperity, environmental protection...

I know there are many more measures that can combat right-wing extremism. The more successfully politicians tackle problems, the less people tend to turn to extremist alternatives. But these efforts are not always successful and what succeeds is not enough to combat extremism. I see realistic potential in the above 9 measures to make progress in the fight against extremism.