The world appears more unstable than ever, with frequent news of power struggles between far right-wing and left-wing, international conflicts, and rising authoritarianism. Major countries often threaten or engage in actions that risk global stability, such as economic disruptions or territorial ambitions. Amidst this, the United States, under the banner of Making America Great Again (MAGA), has implemented strict immigration and visa policies.
Donald Trump is a businessman, and he understands the gravity his words hold in the Sensex market. He has the power to influence and crash the market, and thus, people who are on his side will always be in profit. As a global leader, America’s stance has influenced other countries like Canada and Australia to adopt similar limitations, impacting immigration trends worldwide.
France, Italy, and Germany are witnessing a pronounced shift toward right-wing politics, with policies increasingly centered on nativist ideologies that prioritize ‘native’ citizens and often carry undertones of racism. For example: European Parliament election 2024, when German elections were held, AfD (Alternative für Deutschland, a far-right and national conservative party, which is basically a Nazi party) got the second-highest votes with 15.9% votes, while CDU (Christian Democratic Union of Germany, the current Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s party) got 23.7%. Keeping in mind:
- Most of the people who voted for AfD were from the youngest age group, with the best results from 35-44 year olds at 20% and over 60s with 12%.
- From 2019 to 2024, there has been 4.9% jump in the AfD voters while CDU voters increased with 1.1%, which is really upsetting.
- The biggest reason for the AfD soaring high was due to Immigration voted by 46% AfD voters as the top issue. While 17% and 15% saying Peace and social security, respectively, as the second and third reasons for Afd voters.
- Most of the AfD voters were influenced by the TikTok and Instagram videos, and sadly, most of the Germans don’t have the full picture of their own history. Since their textbooks omit the crucial information about Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party, his name is taboo here.
Note: A noticeable trend among some young Germans is the turn toward immediate practicality: After schooling, many forgo university to enter the workforce through apprenticeships (Ausbildung), prioritizing early income, travel, and a lifestyle often marked by casual substance use. This practical choice is often accompanied by a growing sense of political and social disconnection, and consequently, leaves them uniquely susceptible to the propaganda that’s been circulated on various social media platforms they frequent.
For people like me: These political shifts aren’t just headlines – they affect real lives, like mine. When the election results were announced, I was in Germany, and unlike others who can pass off as European, I could not. I had sleepless nights and was scared to death of being a victim of racist slurs or incidents. I was traumatized that someone would come to me and say, GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY. Especially after knowing people who voted for AfD (pro right-wing party) were among my age group, I was dumbfounded. The world is unstable, with people wanting the good old days back, and this can be seen when one is applying for jobs.
Immigration Paradox: When Countries Need “Ausländers” but Vote Against Them: The current election result and the way people have been so against the immigrants is baffling and scary. Germany lacks manpower and thus needs Ausländers (people from other countries or Aliens). So, German people, to show how much we need them, made videos showcasing how many Germans work in their workplace, say a team of 10 – Barely 2 or 3 were Germans, while the rest were Ausländers. This shows that Germany’s need for Ausländers, despite rising anti-immigrant sentiment, is crucially important.
The world has now been divided into two types of people:
- One who cares too much: These are the types of people who watch the news and cuss out at the politicians. They stay glued to the TV/ Mobile/ Propaganda news and would not miss even a subtle thing. These people have very strong opinions and would even fight for their beliefs.
- One who doesn’t care what’s happening: These are the types of people who couldn’t care less. They have given up on the world, or more like, don’t care about the world except in their world, where everything is good and butterflies. These are the people who like to read books/manga, watch entertainment tv/ anime, listen to podcasts, and more. They know enough but would be ready to be influenced.
Where does the world stand? Of course, most of us oscillate between these two poles, depending on the day and the headline. People are busy blaming the economy, the immigrants, the policies, and more; they forget that in order to see the change, they must be it. Politicians are nothing but blood-sucking vampires who would do everything in their power to show their opposing party as the enemy, but wouldn’t do anything for the development of the country. They would do just enough to boast about for years and decades to come. And in the space between their boasts and our daily lives, the rest of us must find a way to live, to resist, or simply to remain.
The right-wing or left-wing battle will continue indefinitely. The only way to live in this unpredictable world where war seem imminent, these small acts of humanity are not a weakness, but a quiet form of resistance. History may spotlight the horrid deeds of the powerful, but the fabric of everyday life is woven from our individual choices. Choose to be the thread that mends, rather than tears. Be Good!
“War does not determine who is right – Only who is left.”
— Bertrand Russell
Also Read:
– Let It Snow! Let It Snow In Berlin!
– EGAL: Why Fit in When You Can Stand Out?
– Berlin: A Passably Average City
– Best Day Ever in Berlin, Guess Not!
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