You can always be for something or against something. For example, you can be for Pepsi or against Coke. But what is better for a good system. Well, neither is good for your metabolic system.
Why the far right is successful
I started thinking about Pro and Contra, as I walked on the street and saw a sticker for the fight against fascists. A few moments later while waiting for the bus I saw an AI generated far right vision of a fascist future.
The message of the first was simply to destruct. The latter wants to create something.
And I had an epiphany. Of course, people like the one with the vision better. Sure, if you think for one second, you know that it is bullshit and have to laugh because it is so ridiculous. But most people will only see it for a split second. That’s enough for the image to burn into your brain.
I am not talking about propaganda in this article, but it is part of it. Being against something, nevertheless how noble the cause is, is often too little.
People feel more spoken to things they are promised they can have. Safety, prosperity or reputation. Things that are simple and clear. Nothing to abstract like the fight against fascism. Something you may have to explain, what it is.
Also, if not effected by something, people give a damn about it. Even if it isn’t true, and they only think it has nothing to do with them. Like climate change.
Populists don’t always use a positive image to reach the people. It was quite new for me, that the use AI generated fascist utopia. Fear is a much bigger driver for populists. The immigrants, who steal the hard-earned wealth or kill and rape everyone. The climate activists, who want to take the cars and the freedom away. Woke people, who are language Nazis.
Pro and Contra, Vision and Fear
It’s always a vision or an image and also a “we against them”. Populist create something to identify with, as wrong as it is, it works.
This is easier for conservatives, who, as the name suggests, want to conserve the status quo. It is always easier to being against change or for everything to stay the same. It is easier to use images from the present or even the past, if the present isn’t the romanticized image anymore, these parties promote.
Also, it is easier to be against existing systems then being for a better or other version, which needs to be created. But people don’t resonate for change per se, only if they see or have the feeling it will be better for them.
Winning and not being a populist
So, what shall we do? Create the image of a better system and then, and this is important, create this system. Don’t make false promises, don’t be a populist.
Don’t be antifascist. Be for a system where everybody is free, where everybody is in control of his life and not one single man on top. Where skin color, sex, religion, gender or what ever you are doesn‘t effect how you are treated. At least by the government.
Don’t be against fossil fuels. Be for self-sufficiency, freedom and health.
Don’t be against authoritarian regimes, be for democracy, where the votes count and not the wealth.
Don’t be against men, but for equality, safety and fairness.
Don’t be against guns, but for safety and pro-life.
That’s the hint. Don’t think this is all we need to do for a good system. This is just a first step. Create the image, we are working for. The forces who want to hinder change will adapt and change their strategies. Like the fight between Pro Life and Pro Choice.
Pro Life makes you believe they celebrate life, when all they do is fight women’s rights. That’s what I meant with not making false promises. This happens everywhere.
The vision we paint must be true. Because in the end, honest people win, even if it is hard to believe right now.
My name is Ian DeBay.
I am the founder of iandebay.com. I am a content creator, blogger, podcast, YouTuber. This is my blog where I talk about system change, sustainability and other fun stuff.
Leave a Reply