Aurelien Mondon
@aurelmondon.bsky.social
Researching the mainstreaming of reactionary/far-right politics
Co-convenor of @reacpolrn.bsky.social
Reactionary Democracy w. @aaronwinter.bsky.social and co-editor of The Ethics of Researching the Far Right
Full profile:
https://shorturl.at/CiYKm
Co-convenor of @reacpolrn.bsky.social
Reactionary Democracy w. @aaronwinter.bsky.social and co-editor of The Ethics of Researching the Far Right
Full profile:
https://shorturl.at/CiYKm
Pinned
Aurelien Mondon
@aurelmondon.bsky.social
· Sep 24
Article: On reactionary politics (Aurelien Mondon) - Reactionary Politics Research Network
This article by Aurelien Mondon explores the meaning of reactionary politics and its use in our current context
reacpol.net
Core to reactionary politics is a cowardly project that aims to protect and restore privilege and hierarchies of oppression
Some thoughts on terminology and the term reactionary @reacpolrn.bsky.social
reacpol.net/on-reactiona...
Some thoughts on terminology and the term reactionary @reacpolrn.bsky.social
reacpol.net/on-reactiona...
I understand that thinking of this resurgence as something harboured within the very system we think will protect us and from which we benefit is uncomfortable but it is the essential first step to countering it
November 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I understand that thinking of this resurgence as something harboured within the very system we think will protect us and from which we benefit is uncomfortable but it is the essential first step to countering it
The resurgence of far-right politics is often thought of as the doing of evil characters and their ability to manipulate "the people" against our good norm
This is a convenient and dangerous fantasy which ignores that the roots of the problem are systemic 👇🏻
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
This is a convenient and dangerous fantasy which ignores that the roots of the problem are systemic 👇🏻
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Really existing liberalism, the bulwark fantasy, and the enabling of reactionary, far right politics1
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The resurgence of far-right politics is often thought of as the doing of evil characters and their ability to manipulate "the people" against our good norm
This is a convenient and dangerous fantasy which ignores that the roots of the problem are systemic 👇🏻
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
This is a convenient and dangerous fantasy which ignores that the roots of the problem are systemic 👇🏻
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Aurelien Mondon
You can literally say what you want about trans people and the UK courts are fine with it.
This was a *child*
This was a *child*
Graham Linehan cleared of harassment but guilty of criminal damage to trans activist's phone
Graham Linehan cleared of harassment but guilty of criminal damage to trans activist's phone
Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has been found guilty of criminal damage to the phone of a trans activist but not guilty of harassment.
news.sky.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:37 AM
You can literally say what you want about trans people and the UK courts are fine with it.
This was a *child*
This was a *child*
Absolutely, but what bothers me is the demands for apology as if his politics would be fine if he hadn't done that as a teenager.
Again, not saying we shouldn't bring it up but the way it is makes me really uneasy as it conceals the more subtle way the process of mainstreaming works.
Again, not saying we shouldn't bring it up but the way it is makes me really uneasy as it conceals the more subtle way the process of mainstreaming works.
November 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Absolutely, but what bothers me is the demands for apology as if his politics would be fine if he hadn't done that as a teenager.
Again, not saying we shouldn't bring it up but the way it is makes me really uneasy as it conceals the more subtle way the process of mainstreaming works.
Again, not saying we shouldn't bring it up but the way it is makes me really uneasy as it conceals the more subtle way the process of mainstreaming works.
Of course they are but we know that already. Again, I am not saying it shouldn't be covered and that it doesn't matter, but this is not about his individual flaws (which he can deny and has) but about his politics (for which we have ample evidence)
November 25, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Of course they are but we know that already. Again, I am not saying it shouldn't be covered and that it doesn't matter, but this is not about his individual flaws (which he can deny and has) but about his politics (for which we have ample evidence)
Reposted by Aurelien Mondon
Precies zoals we nu met Wilders en Eerdmans zien gebeuren in Nederland. Zelfde ideeën, maar met een stropdas.
It might sound counterintuitive but trying to take Farage, Trump, Le Pen down based on individual flaws without centring the damage their politics do is counterproductive
It opens the way for less extreme actors espousing the same politics while these have become normalised by mainstream actors
It opens the way for less extreme actors espousing the same politics while these have become normalised by mainstream actors
November 25, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Precies zoals we nu met Wilders en Eerdmans zien gebeuren in Nederland. Zelfde ideeën, maar met een stropdas.
This is something @k8ebrown.bsky.social, @aaronwinter.bsky.social and I explored at length here:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The far right, the mainstream and mainstreaming: towards a heuristic framework
The study of far-right parties and politics is one of the most high-profile research areas in political science and related disciplines. Far-right parties have been the subject of vast amounts of v...
www.tandfonline.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:59 AM
This is something @k8ebrown.bsky.social, @aaronwinter.bsky.social and I explored at length here:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The process of mainstreaming must be understood in a more holistic manner if we are to counter it
Its roots are as much in the mainstream's actions (or lack thereof) than they are in the extreme. The latter can in fact be a useful distraction from the more systemic nature of reactionary politics.
Its roots are as much in the mainstream's actions (or lack thereof) than they are in the extreme. The latter can in fact be a useful distraction from the more systemic nature of reactionary politics.
November 25, 2025 at 9:57 AM
The process of mainstreaming must be understood in a more holistic manner if we are to counter it
Its roots are as much in the mainstream's actions (or lack thereof) than they are in the extreme. The latter can in fact be a useful distraction from the more systemic nature of reactionary politics.
Its roots are as much in the mainstream's actions (or lack thereof) than they are in the extreme. The latter can in fact be a useful distraction from the more systemic nature of reactionary politics.
It reminds me of Jean-Marie Le Pen being fined for Holocaust denial
It was essential to counter his antisemitism obviously but it wasn't enough to counter the rise of more reconstructed far-right politics (and their mainstreaming) as they appeared palatable by comparison
It was essential to counter his antisemitism obviously but it wasn't enough to counter the rise of more reconstructed far-right politics (and their mainstreaming) as they appeared palatable by comparison
November 25, 2025 at 9:57 AM
It reminds me of Jean-Marie Le Pen being fined for Holocaust denial
It was essential to counter his antisemitism obviously but it wasn't enough to counter the rise of more reconstructed far-right politics (and their mainstreaming) as they appeared palatable by comparison
It was essential to counter his antisemitism obviously but it wasn't enough to counter the rise of more reconstructed far-right politics (and their mainstreaming) as they appeared palatable by comparison
I don't think anyone is saying his racism doesn't matter and of course it should be called out
The issue is that it is done so as an individual flaw rather than as part of a wider political project which has been cleared for decades and enabled by mainstream actors. The latter matters far more
The issue is that it is done so as an individual flaw rather than as part of a wider political project which has been cleared for decades and enabled by mainstream actors. The latter matters far more
All the supposedly progressive people saying 'Nigel Farage's racism doesn't matter. His fans love it'.
It matters whether the leader of the party leading all the opinion polls is an outright racist. It matters if he called black people 'wogs' and said 'gas them' to Jews. Not everything is a game
It matters whether the leader of the party leading all the opinion polls is an outright racist. It matters if he called black people 'wogs' and said 'gas them' to Jews. Not everything is a game
November 25, 2025 at 9:57 AM
I don't think anyone is saying his racism doesn't matter and of course it should be called out
The issue is that it is done so as an individual flaw rather than as part of a wider political project which has been cleared for decades and enabled by mainstream actors. The latter matters far more
The issue is that it is done so as an individual flaw rather than as part of a wider political project which has been cleared for decades and enabled by mainstream actors. The latter matters far more
It reminds me of Jean-Marie Le Pen being fined for Holocaust denial. It was essential to counter his antisemitism obviously but it wasn't enough to counter the rise of more reconstructed far-right politics (and their mainstreaming) as they appeared palatable by comparison
November 25, 2025 at 9:39 AM
It reminds me of Jean-Marie Le Pen being fined for Holocaust denial. It was essential to counter his antisemitism obviously but it wasn't enough to counter the rise of more reconstructed far-right politics (and their mainstreaming) as they appeared palatable by comparison
I don't think anyone is saying his racism doesn't matter and of course it should be called out
The issue is that it is done so as an individual flaw rather than as part of a wider political project which has been cleared for decades and enabled by mainstream actors. The latter matters far more.
The issue is that it is done so as an individual flaw rather than as part of a wider political project which has been cleared for decades and enabled by mainstream actors. The latter matters far more.
November 25, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I don't think anyone is saying his racism doesn't matter and of course it should be called out
The issue is that it is done so as an individual flaw rather than as part of a wider political project which has been cleared for decades and enabled by mainstream actors. The latter matters far more.
The issue is that it is done so as an individual flaw rather than as part of a wider political project which has been cleared for decades and enabled by mainstream actors. The latter matters far more.
Reposted by Aurelien Mondon
Well, the parts of the media that he actually has to worry about
November 25, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Well, the parts of the media that he actually has to worry about
It might sound counterintuitive but trying to take Farage, Trump, Le Pen down based on individual flaws without centring the damage their politics do is counterproductive
It opens the way for less extreme actors espousing the same politics while these have become normalised by mainstream actors
It opens the way for less extreme actors espousing the same politics while these have become normalised by mainstream actors
November 25, 2025 at 8:51 AM
It might sound counterintuitive but trying to take Farage, Trump, Le Pen down based on individual flaws without centring the damage their politics do is counterproductive
It opens the way for less extreme actors espousing the same politics while these have become normalised by mainstream actors
It opens the way for less extreme actors espousing the same politics while these have become normalised by mainstream actors
Is there really a risk a media could be successfully sued for calling Reform far right?
That seems ridiculous considering there is expert support and some have and haven't heard a peep. In that case, the threat is enough to get big players in line which is concerning obviously...
That seems ridiculous considering there is expert support and some have and haven't heard a peep. In that case, the threat is enough to get big players in line which is concerning obviously...
November 25, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Is there really a risk a media could be successfully sued for calling Reform far right?
That seems ridiculous considering there is expert support and some have and haven't heard a peep. In that case, the threat is enough to get big players in line which is concerning obviously...
That seems ridiculous considering there is expert support and some have and haven't heard a peep. In that case, the threat is enough to get big players in line which is concerning obviously...
Good on nation.cymru for standing their ground!
What I honestly don't get is how Reform could have any leg to stand on considering what the rightwing press publishes against the left. Surely that should act as jurisprudence.
Any media experts to weigh in?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
What I honestly don't get is how Reform could have any leg to stand on considering what the rightwing press publishes against the left. Surely that should act as jurisprudence.
Any media experts to weigh in?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform’s ‘Trumpian’ legal threats hint at more aggressive approach to media
Ultimatums sent to publications appear to intensify as Nigel Farage’s party rises in polls
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Good on nation.cymru for standing their ground!
What I honestly don't get is how Reform could have any leg to stand on considering what the rightwing press publishes against the left. Surely that should act as jurisprudence.
Any media experts to weigh in?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
What I honestly don't get is how Reform could have any leg to stand on considering what the rightwing press publishes against the left. Surely that should act as jurisprudence.
Any media experts to weigh in?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
An old meme, but a good meme 😌
November 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
An old meme, but a good meme 😌
Reposted by Aurelien Mondon
Toby Young, self-appointed king of free speech, is speaking in Hungary tomorrow about UK “censorship”.
He’ll be addressing a group funded by Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime, which has seized control of the country’s media, judiciary, and routinely harasses its critics
He’ll be addressing a group funded by Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime, which has seized control of the country’s media, judiciary, and routinely harasses its critics
Toby Young to Address Orbán-Backed Group on UK ‘Censorship’
Conservative peer and right-wing commentator Toby Young is due to deliver a talk tomorrow (25 November) at the in-house think tank of Hungarian autocrat Viktor Orbán. Young is being interviewed by Mat...
www.desmog.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Toby Young, self-appointed king of free speech, is speaking in Hungary tomorrow about UK “censorship”.
He’ll be addressing a group funded by Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime, which has seized control of the country’s media, judiciary, and routinely harasses its critics
He’ll be addressing a group funded by Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime, which has seized control of the country’s media, judiciary, and routinely harasses its critics
Reposted by Aurelien Mondon
« Ce qui est gênant, voir illégal, c’est le fait qu’un supérieur hiérarchique demande à ses subordonnés de remplir un questionnaire qui permet de savoir quelles sont ses opinions politiques et religieuses. Ce n’est pas un sondage, c’est un recensement ! »
www.mediapart.fr/journal/fran...
www.mediapart.fr/journal/fran...
Un sondage sur l’antisémitisme à l’université provoque la colère du personnel enseignant
Le ministère de l’enseignement supérieur a commandé un sondage sur le rapport à l’antisémitisme de ses agents. Une partie des syndicats dénonce un « recensement » politique. Selon nos informations, l…
www.mediapart.fr
November 24, 2025 at 8:10 PM
« Ce qui est gênant, voir illégal, c’est le fait qu’un supérieur hiérarchique demande à ses subordonnés de remplir un questionnaire qui permet de savoir quelles sont ses opinions politiques et religieuses. Ce n’est pas un sondage, c’est un recensement ! »
www.mediapart.fr/journal/fran...
www.mediapart.fr/journal/fran...
Nothing says unbiased more than pandering to the far-right clearly...
"The BBC were asked by this paper whether there had been any similar discussions about securing the support of voters for other parties in the UK, but they did not identify any examples"
bylinetimes.com/2025/06/09/b...
"The BBC were asked by this paper whether there had been any similar discussions about securing the support of voters for other parties in the UK, but they did not identify any examples"
bylinetimes.com/2025/06/09/b...
BBC Bosses Draw Up Plans to Win Over Reform Voters by Changing News and Drama Output
The Director General Tim Davie and other executives discussed altering BBC “story selection” in order to secure the "trust" of supporters of Nigel Farage’s party
bylinetimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Nothing says unbiased more than pandering to the far-right clearly...
"The BBC were asked by this paper whether there had been any similar discussions about securing the support of voters for other parties in the UK, but they did not identify any examples"
bylinetimes.com/2025/06/09/b...
"The BBC were asked by this paper whether there had been any similar discussions about securing the support of voters for other parties in the UK, but they did not identify any examples"
bylinetimes.com/2025/06/09/b...
Reposted by Aurelien Mondon
This is how the far right should be covered and analysed
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... - my new article, if of interest please share.
I endured an English public school. But that’s not the only reason I’m unsurprised about the Farage allegations |
Let’s put aside the schooldays accusations and look, instead, at the Reform leader’s path since then. I think a pretty clear picture of the man emerges, says author and podcaster Musa Okwonga
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:15 AM
This is how the far right should be covered and analysed
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis
Reposted by Aurelien Mondon
Today in the news:
Could the far right be far right?!
We found countless examples and testimonies and it is clear that, based on most serious definitions, they are indeed far right and a threat to democracy
However, we asked them and they said they are not.
Therefore, who is to know?
Could the far right be far right?!
We found countless examples and testimonies and it is clear that, based on most serious definitions, they are indeed far right and a threat to democracy
However, we asked them and they said they are not.
Therefore, who is to know?
November 24, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Today in the news:
Could the far right be far right?!
We found countless examples and testimonies and it is clear that, based on most serious definitions, they are indeed far right and a threat to democracy
However, we asked them and they said they are not.
Therefore, who is to know?
Could the far right be far right?!
We found countless examples and testimonies and it is clear that, based on most serious definitions, they are indeed far right and a threat to democracy
However, we asked them and they said they are not.
Therefore, who is to know?
Thank you for your much needed words!
November 24, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Thank you for your much needed words!
This is how the far right should be covered and analysed
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... - my new article, if of interest please share.
I endured an English public school. But that’s not the only reason I’m unsurprised about the Farage allegations |
Let’s put aside the schooldays accusations and look, instead, at the Reform leader’s path since then. I think a pretty clear picture of the man emerges, says author and podcaster Musa Okwonga
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:15 AM
This is how the far right should be covered and analysed
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis
Not focusing only on the words or actions of one man but by looking at wider societal trends, the role of the mainstream and of course accounting for power
This is not (just) opinion, it's necessary analysis