Mainstreaming Hate: How Right-Wing Extremism Became a Digital and Political Force
Written by Elisa Garbil – 22.05.2025
In recent years, right-wing extremism has evolved from fringe ideology into a persistent force that influences public discourse, political behaviour, and even policy. The transition from the margins to the mainstream hasn’t happened by accident. It’s the result of a complex interplay between online radicalisation, conspiracy thinking, and the normalisation of hate through politics and media. The 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack tragically illustrated how far this process can go when unchecked. But the roots of the issue are deeper and more insidious, embedded in digital spaces, cultural narratives, and systemic political strategies.
From Digital Subcultures to Real-World Violence
The Christchurch attacker didn’t belong to any traditional terrorist cell. His radicalisation unfolded almost entirely online, in anonymous forums and algorithm-driven social media platforms. These digital spaces created an echo chamber, where his views weren’t just accepted, they were celebrated. He consumed and reproduced content that depicted white Europeans as victims of a grand cultural conspiracy, threatened by immigration, Islam, and multiculturalism. These ideas weren’t invented in isolation. They emerged from a growing transnational far-right movement that thrives in digital anonymity while feeding off global grievances.
What’s striking about this form of radicalisation is that it’s not always intentional or even ideological at the outset. Many individuals arrive at extremist content while searching for meaning, identity, or community. Social disconnection, economic uncertainty, and a sense of powerlessness often precede the political awakening. Far-right movements offer these individuals a simple solution: blame “the other”. Once inside these communities, repetition of conspiracy narratives and emotionally charged propaganda deepens the conversion, gradually transforming dissatisfaction into hate.
Conspiracy Theories as a Pathway to Extremism
Conspiracy theories have become the primary currency of modern right-wing extremism. Movements like QAnon or beliefs in the so-called “Great Replacement” have gained momentum not because of their factual merit, but because of their emotional appeal. They offer clarity in a chaotic world, casting followers as part of an enlightened few who see “the truth”. This makes them extraordinarily effective tools of radicalisation.
These theories are adaptable. Whether it’s a global pandemic, economic crash, or mass migration, they evolve to absorb real-world events and reframe them as proof of malicious intent by elites or outsiders. This flexibility makes them resilient and difficult to disprove. The more outlandish the theory, the harder it becomes to argue against: any denial is simply seen as part of the cover-up.
Digital platforms amplify these messages by design. Algorithms prioritise engagement, and emotionally provocative content – particularly content that incites fear, outrage, or disgust – performs best. As a result, conspiracy-laced material spreads quickly, often reaching individuals who wouldn’t actively seek it out.
When Hate Becomes Normal
One of the most troubling aspects of contemporary far-right movements is their ability to blend into the mainstream. This is not simply the accidental diffusion of ideas, but an active process involving media amplification and political opportunism. Politicians and pundits often flirt with far-right talking points to energise a disillusioned voter base or provoke controversy. In doing so, they grant legitimacy to ideologies once considered taboo.
For example, anti-immigration rhetoric, once relegated to the fringes, is now a standard feature of political discourse in many democratic societies. When prominent figures use language about “invasions”, “cultural threats”, or “national purity”, they echo the exact terms used in extremist manifestos. This creates a feedback loop: extremists feel validated by mainstream attention, while the public becomes desensitised to harmful ideologies.
Media coverage also plays a pivotal role. In an effort to appear balanced or objective, news outlets often frame far-right narratives as legitimate political positions. The consequence is that hate is rebranded as opinion, and bigotry is mistaken for dissent. This false equivalence empowers extremists while undermining the democratic values of equality and pluralism.
Liberalism’s Blind Spots
Liberal democracies are often ill-equipped to confront this threat precisely because they assume extremism lies outside their ideological borders. But the far right doesn’t operate in complete opposition to liberalism; it exploits its weaknesses. It uses the language of free speech to justify hate speech, and the structures of democracy to subvert democratic norms.
This paradox challenges the belief that liberal societies are inherently resilient to authoritarian drift. In fact, the very freedoms that define democracy —expression, assembly, participation— can be manipulated to legitimise exclusionary ideologies. Without active resistance, tolerance becomes a gateway for intolerance.
Breaking the Cycle: Policy Implications and Countermeasures
If right-wing extremism is to be contained, both structural and cultural responses are needed:
- Digital literacy is a starting point. Teaching people how to critically evaluate online content, understand algorithms, and recognise manipulation is essential, especially for younger generations.
- At the platform level, regulation must catch up to reality. Social media companies must be held accountable for their role in spreading radical content. That includes:
- transparency around algorithms,
- robust moderation policies,
- and the removal of content that incites violence or hatred.
- But technical fixes are not enough. Cultural resilience matters just as much. Communities need to offer alternative narratives that emphasise inclusion, solidarity, and shared humanity. Support networks for disaffected individuals —especially those vulnerable to recruitment— can disrupt the radicalisation process before it begins.
- Finally, journalists and public figures must recognise their influence and act responsibly. Reporting should contextualise extremism, not normalise it. Political leaders must resist the temptation to score short-term gains by indulging in nationalist or xenophobic rhetoric. Upholding democratic values means drawing clear lines —lines that must not be crossed, no matter the political cost.
Conclusion
Right-wing extremism did not emerge from a vacuum, and it will not disappear on its own. It feeds on fear, accelerates through digital ecosystems, and becomes entrenched when hate is allowed to masquerade as legitimate opinion. The convergence of radicalisation, conspiracy theories, and mainstream validation poses a direct challenge to democratic societies. Confronting this threat requires more than policy shifts; it demands cultural vigilance, moral clarity, and a commitment to push back against the normalisation of hate in all its forms.
