Europe’s Fault Lines: Racism and the Rise of the Right by Liz Fekete
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In Europe’s Fault Lines: Racism and the Rise of the Right, Liz Fekete lays down a thorough and detailed study of the current state of Far and Extreme Right-wing activities in Europe; from the normalisation and adoption by centrist bodies of far right narratives to justify authoritarian reactions (see Brexit), the unofficial utilisation of right-wing and Neo-Nazi groups within border enforcement and the policing of migrants and minorities, the failures of neoliberal attempts at Exit programmes that have resulted in insincere Neo-Nazis profiting, and to the validation and propagation of right-wing ideology through anti-terror laws.
We have a terrible habit in Europe, especially the UK, of looking at America – especially after events like Charlottesville, the ‘detention’ camps of Latinx economic migrants and refugees, and far right spin doctors like Steve Bannon setting up shot in public spaces – and thinking “well, at least that sort of thing can’t happen here”. Spoiler, it can, it will, and it has. I would especially recommend this book to those who have thought the above, especially on the subject of the response to, and treatment of migrants and refugees coming from Syria and Sub-Saharan African countries such as Eritrea,and Nigeria.
For those more versed in the topic it may read repetitive, though I found some enlightening passages which while not necessarily new were certainly moments of realisation once the obvious being pointed out (e.g. market forces using and endorsing the discriminatory and intolerant arguments of the right to sell boarder security tech). It is an excellent primer on a Europe where “the whistle-blowers who act out of conscience to expose corruption and state violence are quickly excommunicated”, however, as another reviewer has suggested, if you are after something more in-depth then you may find yourself disappointed.
The style is a little heavy, switching between a journalistic approach to that of an academic text, and the use of abbreviations without a glossary made keeping up with the whos and wheres a little difficult [note for publisher, a glossary would be a really good addition to further editions]. My only true disappointment was that, unlike for example in Of Women: In the 21st Century, Fekete did not extend her knowledge to possible practical solutions or actions that will fix the damage of past mistakes, something I would have expected of a member of the Institute of Race Relations. At least other than abandoning Neoliberalism, better scrutinisation of ‘reformed’ Neo Nazis, and ending the practice of demonisation and dehumanisation of ‘outsiders’ – whether refugee, Muslim, Roma, working poor, or the unemployed – that allows for a climate where empathy brands individuals as unpatriotic do-gooders; all easier said than done.
Note: I would recommend the print book rather than ebook, at least if you access ebooks through the kindle app. The text itself makes up 67% then 10& of notes while the rest is index. It’s nigh impossible to refer to the notes while reading, other ereaders or reading apps may vary.
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