The growing right-wing populism as a practical theological challenge

Abstract

The dangers to which democracy is exposed are as old as democracy itself. At present, the successes of right-wing populist or extreme right-wing parties in almost all European countries are a cause for concern. In Germany, the “Alternative for Germany” party (AfD) in particular is polarizing the political debate and threatening to undermine social cohesion through its vociferously held nationalist positions. The democratic concern to protect the value and rights of the individual and to promote social cohesion runs particularly counter to attitudes and acts of group-based misanthropy. From the perspective of a theology that wants to preserve and shape democratic spaces for thought and action, the division of the population that extends into families and the Church, the crisis of confidence in the cohesion of society, and the explicit reference to classical Christian themes pose particular challenges from right-wing populist currents. This article unfolds three proposals for dealing with these challenges: 1) Establish the Church as a space of controversial but appreciative dialogue that takes seriously the concerns and needs of all interlocutors as well as justified criticism of grievances. 2) In the spirit of the “discernment of spirits”, ask about the fears and resentments that underlie the conflicts and seek spiritual sources for overcoming them. 3) Encourage support for people who are already involved in democracy building through personal networking and the provision of infrastructure.