Summary
German lawmakers are debating whether to pursue a ban on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), but many fear the move could backfire ahead of the Feb. 23 national election.
The proposal, backed by 124 lawmakers, seeks a court review of whether the AfD is unconstitutional.
Critics, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, warn a failed attempt could strengthen the party, which is polling at 20%.
The debate underscores concerns over the AfD’s extremism but also the risks of fueling its anti-establishment narrative.
It’s kinda weird that we have to betray the principals of democracy to preserve it.
I felt the same way about jailing Trump before the election. If that’s the only way to keep the fascists out of power, maybe we should reconsider the idea of democracy. (or of Germany or America for that matter)
Something I’ve been thinking a lot lately is that democracy is a process. It is a means by which we attempt to ensure a just and fair government for all. It’s not an end in itself; we don’t want democracy because democracy, at least not once people really think about it.
Which leads me to a saying. “The ends do not justify the means.” This is a commonly held statement. However, it also works the other way:
The means do not justify the ends.
That means it doesn’t matter if something was done by the rules, using the process, it doesn’t matter if we voted for it, it doesn’t matter what process was used to achieve it. If the ends are wrong, going “well, it’s what was decided democratically” isn’t an excuse.
Jailing the orange diaper would’ve had nothing to do with betraying democracy. He committed crimes that he should’ve been punished for under democratically created laws. The laws simply weren’t enforced.
It’s not though. Democracy relies on a bunch of environmental factors we blew through about 100 years ago. If these parties were out meeting people one to one and making a rational case, that’d be one thing. If the press was doing their job of informing everyone properly, that’d be another thing.
But then, if they were doing that, they wouldn’t be so fucking dangerous. They’re simply riding on propaganda which we know works every time. And since capitalism also requires propaganda, we can’t shut that part down without restructuring our entire economic system, which analysts suggest might take longer than three, or even four weeks.