The Unlikely Link Between the Right-Wing and Lord of the Rings

The Economist: Why right-wing Italians love hobbits‍

Now it all makes sense! I've never been into in fantasy, including The Lord of The Rings or Harry Potter, now I know why.

Right-wing ideologies and populism have gained increasing traction in the western world in recent years. But I would argue that there’s little ideology in their rhetoric.

Even Benito Mussolini, Italy's dictator in the 1920s and 1930s and a father figure of the Italian right-wing, didn't pursue any specific ideology. He began his political career as a socialist (left-wing), but seized an opportunity on the right and jumped on it. Despite coming from an anti-clerical background, he brokered deals with the church. He also adopted Hitler's anti-Semitism, even though he himself did not fit into the "Aryan" model.

What truly unites the global right-wing is not ideology, but rather a denial of reality and a common enemy.

They like to construct their own reality, filled with conspiracies, underlying narratives, villains and heroes. No wonder they love The Lord of The Rings!

Anyone capable of rationally explaining the current reality is considered an enemy.

They call them “radical-chic”, the number one villan in the right-wing’s narrative. Enemy number two is usually immigrants, especially those of non-christian backgrounds. Problem is, “radical-chic” economists and professors are able to explain why immigration is good!

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t approve the insane wave of left political correctness either, which is also far from reality and actually fuels the right-wing’s resentment.

Understanding reality as it truly is takes time, effort and, unfortunately, money. It may involve traveling and potentially learning new languages to fully comprehend different cultures. It may involve studying at expensive universities. It also requires self-questioning, not easy to accomplish in this society.

These are all things that supporters of Meloni and Trump would rather not do or simply cannot do. Instead, they find comfort in their fantasy worlds populated with dragons and orcs.

Now the question is... what impact will Ai and Virtual Reality have on this?

I don’t even want to think about it!