The Illusion of Decline and the Dangers of Disruption
In the wake of Stefan Zweig’s haunting memoir, "The World of Yesterday," which chronicled the decline of pre-war Europe, parallels emerge with contemporary rhetoric that bemoans a supposed societal collapse. However, this narrative is not supported by objective reality.
Zweig’s account paints a vivid picture of a prosperous era marked by technological advancements, rising living standards, and expanding opportunities. Despite the challenges of war, the post-war period has witnessed remarkable progress in many parts of the world, particularly in areas such as life expectancy, poverty reduction, education, and economic growth.
Despite these undeniable achievements, there is a growing chorus of voices claiming that the system is broken. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, for instance, has called for disruption, fueling concerns about the nature of the change he envisions.
It is important to clarify that for a vast portion of humanity, the system is far from broken. While challenges such as inequality and excessive bureaucracy undoubtedly exist, these can be addressed through targeted policies rather than radical disruption.
The term "disruption" is often used with alarming naivety. In economics, it typically refers to the replacement of outdated business models and technologies by innovation. However, when politicians advocate for political disruption, their intentions remain vague and potentially sinister.
The essence of a stable political order is its stability, not its disruption. If radical change is the goal, let us not sugarcoat it as disruption; let us call it revolution.
The actions of President Trump in the United States exemplify the dangers of this rhetoric. He has systematically undermined democratic institutions, including firing prosecutors investigating him, altering citizenship laws by executive order, and attacking the media. These actions constitute an assault on the very foundations of democracy.
Meanwhile, Trump’s ally Elon Musk has openly endorsed far-right parties in Germany and beyond. This so-called revolution aims to replace liberal democracy with a system of arbitrary rule, where the separation of powers becomes a mere formality.
History teaches us that the rise of fascism was not inevitable. It was the result of a combination of ruthless power grabs and a lack of opposition. It began with small transgressions, but eventually escalated to catastrophic consequences.
While history may not always repeat itself, there are forces pushing us towards a similar precipice. However, there are also forces pushing back, as evidenced by the recent demonstrations against the far-right AfD in Germany.
Trump has shown himself to be vulnerable to resistance. When faced with significant opposition, he has often retreated. He is not invincible, but he is dangerous.
I write these words from the Austrian mountains, where the sun reflects off the snow. It is difficult to fathom that the post-war era, which has brought so much prosperity and freedom, could be teetering on the brink of collapse.
Perhaps we can prevent history from repeating itself. But I am far less certain of that than I once was.
