For almost a century, the far-right has used the one world government conspiracy theory as a means to influence disaffected voters. This theory, which posits the existence of a secretive globalist elite who want to establish a global government, that will erode national sovereignty and individual freedoms, has thrived amid widespread political, social and economic uncertainties. The far right’s use of this narrative, enables fear and distrust to galvanise support and foster a sense of urgency among its base.
The irony of the far right’s use of the one world government conspiracy theory to influence voters is striking. They rail against globalist organisations, portraying them as enemies of national sovereignty and individual freedom. Yet, many of these organisations are fundamentally corporate capitalists, entities that the far right traditionally supports for their market-driven policies and economic ideologies. This paradox highlights a selective narrative that ignores the alignment between the far right’s pro-capitalist stance and the capitalist nature of these global entities. By attacking these organisations, the far right taps into populist fears and distrust, even as it indirectly undermines the very economic principles it claims to uphold.
The far right’s attraction to the one world government conspiracy theory can be traced back to historical contexts and ideological foundations that emphasise nationalism, sovereignty and scepticism of global institutions. During the Cold War, anti-communist sentiments were welded to fears of a monolithic global government, depicted as a threat to national sovereignty and individual freedoms. This ideological backdrop provided fertile ground for the far-right to incorporate the one world government conspiracy theory into their rhetoric.
Today, the far-right target international organisations such as the United Nations, the European Union and the World Health Organisation. These organisations are portrayed as instruments of a sinister elite determined to undermine national sovereignty. By framing these organisations as such, the far-right can rally their base against perceived external threats.
Economic downturns, job losses due to free-market capitalism and rapid social changes, create a sense of instability and fear among the populace. The far-right tap into these sentiments by attributing economic hardships and social changes to the machinations of a global elite. This narrative simplifies complex issues, providing clear culprits and thus attracting disaffected voters.
The far-right’s use of the one world government conspiracy theory often includes strong appeals to nationalism and patriotism. By invoking the idea that global elites are undermining national identity and sovereignty, the far-right can foster a sense of pride and urgency to “take back” the country from these perceived threats.
Social media and alternative media outlets have become crucial tools for disseminating the one world government conspiracy theory. The far-right use these outlets to bypass traditional media, which they portray as complicit in the conspiracy. Through viral content, memes and videos, they can reach a broad audience and create echo chambers that reinforce their message.
The one world government conspiracy theory is used to polarise political discourse, framing the far right as the defenders of freedom and sovereignty against a corrupt global elite. This us-versus-them narrative intensifies political divisions and compels voters to align with the far right as a means of protecting their perceived interests and values.
In the United States, Alex Jones, Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon have promoted the one world government conspiracy theory. Jones, through his platform Infowars, has long promoted the idea that globalists are plotting to undermine American sovereignty. Trump’s rhetoric often echoed these themes, particularly in his criticisms of international trade agreements and immigration policies, which he framed as tools of global elites. And Carlson and Bannon have similarly promoted these conspiracy theories, using their influence to warn of an imminent loss of national autonomy and to rally support against perceived globalist threats.
In Europe, far-right parties like the French National Front (now National Rally) and Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) have used similar rhetoric, and criticise the European Union as a vehicle for global elites to erode national sovereignty and impose unfavourable policies on member states.
The Brexit campaign in the UK also saw the use of one world government rhetoric. Proponents of Brexit argued that leaving the European Union was necessary to reclaim British sovereignty from unelected bureaucrats in Brussels, framing the European Union as part of a broader globalist agenda.
By framing international organisations and global cooperation as existential threats to national sovereignty and individual freedoms, far-right leaders can rally their base and attract voters who feel disenchanted with the status quo. As long as economic and social uncertainties persist, this narrative is likely to remain a significant force in far-right politics, shaping voter behavior and political discourse.
