Here's are some of the points discussed in my @guardian op-ed on the populist right and Covid conspiracy theories. /thread
The populist right dallying with conspiracy theorists is the last chapter of a longstanding culture war on values and identity. The idea was popularised back in 1992 by republican pundit and pres candidate Buchanan and it has become the standard strategy of the hard right. 1/
Initially culture war was on abortion, feminism, LGBT rights accused of destroying the family. It has since expanded to immigration, environment and now Covid-19 2/
Basic idea is seducing workers disgruntled with neoliberal turn of the left, by showing that progressive elites are distant in outlook and life-style from ordinary people. 3/
Since explosion of the pandemic populist leaders such as Trump, Bolsonaro, Salvini and many others espoused Covid scepticism, on origins and actual danger of the virus and on contagion prevention policies. 4/
The aim was clear: showing the gap between the priorities of virologists, epidemiologists, doctors and other "experts" and those of ordinary people angry at the suspension of everyday habits as well as people losing money because of restrictions (restaurants, shops etc). 5/
Yet, almost 2 years since beginning of the pandemic, and after over 4 million deaths, this strategy is backfiring and the right finds itself in a position that is difficult to navigate: between conspiracy radicalism and political necessity. 6/
Some figures and parties (Salvini, Le Pen, AfD etc) are finding themselves outflanked by even more radical populist right formations that have espoused wholeheartedly conspiracy theories. The risk for the right now is splitting the vote. 7/
Furthermore, anti-vaxx sentiment is very vocal but hyperminoritarian. 80% of US citizens want to be vaccinated, and figure is higher in other countries. Identifying with such a marginal position is electorally risky. 8/
Covid culture war has created fracture within the right between true believers on the one hand and more moderate voters with little patience for popular superstitions. For the populist right increasingly difficult to hold together this brittle electoral coalition. 9/
In coming years the culture war is only bound to become more intense and toxic. Especially around climate change and green transition policies. However the right is becoming aware of the costs involved in riding the tiger of conspiracy theory. 10/
/end
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