Germany’s centre-Right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party and the centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD), which are holding coalition talks, have proposed a law that will block people with multiple extremism convictions from standing in elections.
Germany’s centre-Right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party and the centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD), which are holding coalition talks, have proposed a law that will block people with multiple extremism convictions from standing in elections.
As much as I’m a fan of keeping Nazis out of government, holy fuck is this a bad idea!
A judge shouldn’t be able to ban anyone from running for office.
This is what Russia does. Ban you from running if you’re convicted of “extremism”, then define that to include opposing the government.
Disappointing that this isn’t the overwhelming response; and shows how dangerously close to fascism a lot of the supposedly ‘anti fascist’ respondents actually are.
To ban a thing, you’d better first clearly define what it is.
Right/Left are poor descriptors of often complex political stances, with ‘far right’ being no easier.
Clearly a dangerous path. Those beying for ‘a ban on far right’ need to take a pause and think, it’s like they’ve forgotten what nuance is.
Better to a) fund the teaching of critical thinking and humanistic morality through the education system; and b) foster domestic economic policies that maximise opportunities for your citizens so they don’t feel disenfranchised in large numbers.
That will help prevent the emergence of tribalistic, insular, moral-absolutist behaviour closer to the root.