The recent election of Javier Milei as President of Argentina reveals the limits of the term ’extreme right«. Between contradictions and inaccuracies, we need to question the relevance of this political label, which has become more infamous than informative.
The media coverage of Javier Milei's election as Argentina's new president last month proved that some words no longer have any meaning.. Presented by the European press and the American left as a «far-right ultraliberal», this eccentric economist declares himself an anarcho-capitalist and minarchist by pragmatism. In other words, an anarchist who refers to the principle of private property, but who deems the existence of a minimal state inevitable to guarantee the protection of individual rights. There's no trace of a xenophobic project or a totalitarian conception of power in this libertarian. At most, his anti-system stance and populist style as a candidate bring him close to the likes of Donald Trump. Milei is also personally opposed to abortion - an issue on which he would like to put the population to the vote in a referendum.
But then, what do they have in common with another politician described as right-wing extremist, Marine Le Pen, who is very statist, including in economic matters, and who has nothing against abortion? Let's not even mention those social democrats who are also given the odious anathema of extreme right, because they dare to criticize inclusive writing or the wearing of the veil...
Is the notion of the extreme right meant to refer to an extreme form of the right? Not necessarily. Today, the right is generally liberal and/or conservative. However, what the ’far right« attribute often refers to - in short, the rejection of foreigners and an authoritarian conception of the state - is at the very least far removed from liberalism and conservatism. The »extreme right’ advocates an illiberal vision of society and the economy. Today, for example, the German «far right» is the most contrary of all right-wingers. And, unlike the conservatives, the ’far right« does not want to preserve existing structures, but to change them. reverse in favor of a new order, or reform them to re-establish older structures - in this sense, reactionaries are opposed to conservatives.
Finding the right words
«Extreme right»: infamous words rather than informative. In his latest book, Quebec essayist Mathieu Bock-Côté claims to have sought a definition of this political family, to no avail. Yet there are some interesting definitions. It's rather the way the term is used that lacks coherence. So, let's agree on the meaning of this notion and stick to it, or let's stop using it.
However, if we decide to stop talking about the extreme right, this should not lead us to believe that there are no extreme politicians, no approaches that are dangerous to peace or democracy. Of course there are, on the right and on the left. And we have enough words to describe them: authoritarianism, racism, communism, imperialism and all the rest. Why not take the opportunity to be more precise in our criticism of these currents?
As for those who dispute the existence of wokism (a movement that essentializes certain minorities, conceived of as oppressed communities) because it's a «catch-all» notion, it's not surprising that they see the far right everywhere, without ever defining it. For our part, we will continue to seek the right words to set the terms of each debate. That, too, is the role of journalism.
Write to the author: jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com
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