Anti-Semitism and Right-Wing Populism

With right-wing populist groups of various persausions currently on the rise there is an increasing interest in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. However, the argument that Western conservative populism is deliberately undermined by Jews is deeply flawed. By promoting Jewish conspiracy theories and holocaust denial, right-wing populists alienate the very mainstream conservative support which they are trying to court.

The argument that Jews are consciously anti- populist is suspect for a number of reasons-

1. The spread of anti-conservative liberalism does not correlate with the geographic distribution of Jews. Scandinavia and New Zealand have relatively small Jewish populations but have a strong history of liberalism and socialism. New Zealand for example, was the first country to grant universal suffrage while Sweden is well known for its generous welfare state.

2. Jews have been disproportionately active in anti-conservative Marxist and Libertarian movements (largely because they are disproportionately well educated). However, such movements have gained little support from the wider population in most Western Countries. If the Jews really wanted to undermine traditional conservatism they would be better off supporting mainstream social liberalism.

3. There is little evidence that Jews in general are less Conservative than Westerners of European origin. However, Conservative Jews are less conspicious than Liberal Jews, who have are highly visible through their involvement in the Media industry. Conservative Jews in contrast are more likely to be found in small businesses and religious organisations.

4. Significant numbers of Jews did fight for Germany in the First World War. However, most Jews fought on the Eastern front. In the early 20th Century anti-semitism was stronger in Russia than in Western Europe, hence the Jews had a greater interest in fighting the Russians rather than the French. Hitler saw few Jews on the Western Front and presumed that few Jews were fighting for Germany per se.

5. It was the Germans that put the communists in power in Russia. This was a desperate attempt to get Russia out of the war, not a carefully thought out Jewish conspiracy.

6. Prior to the First World War there was relatively little anti-semitism in Germany compared with many other European countries. The sudden rise in anti-semitism in the 1920s was strongly related to the extraordinary inflation of 1923. Jews traditionally, had a lot of their money, invested in precious metals, shops and foreign currency, while middle class Germans preferred stocks and savings. Subsequently many Jews got richer while many Germans became impoverished. This was in large part due to the misguided actions of Woodrow Wilson rather than any fault of the Jews or the Germans.

7. The Holocaust is an historical fact. The Germans were excellent record keepers and left copious material and documentary evidence of their activities. The only real points of dispute are the connections of particular individuals, like Hitler, to the genocide and how much ordinary Germans knew about what was going on. This is because much of the high level correspondence was destroyed.

In the United States Jewish lobby groups, such as the Hubrew Immigration Aid Society, have been advocates of large-scale immigration. However supporters of limited immigration should focus their criticisms of Jews at these organisations and not attack Jews in general. It is alos interesting to note that in other Western countries there is no noticeable Jewish support for large scale immigration.


One point I will concede to anti-semite intellectuals is that communist crimes have been downplayed relative to Nazi crimes. More people have died at the hands of Stalin, Lenin, Paul Pot and Mao Tse-Tung than Hitler, yet the media overwelmingly focuses on Nazi atrocities. The Holocaust should not necessarily be downplayed but it should be put in a wider context.