Novichok for the mind: The far-right's theory of political change in New Zealand through podcasts
The ability of a very large, well-funded, highly strategic, and sophisticated far-right disinformation network in New Zealand to promote white supremacist ideology, including those directly associated with, and mirroring the Christchurch killer's violent extremism is worrying. This digital poison spread over podcasts, aimed at shaping attitudes, perceptions, behaviours, and responses, is a signal that officials in the country don't seem to be picking up on, and even more incredibly, those elected to political office in New Zealand now openly associate themselves with.
This doesn't bode well.
What follows are observations published on my Bluesky account today based on the study of a recent podcast, in the broader context of what since this deleterious network's launch I've enduringly studied being produced for, and promoted on it.
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Latest programme between two leading neo-Nazi ideologues in New Zealand's largest, most persuasive disinfo podcast network proposes an interesting theory of political change: how it can be brought about not just from winning elections, but gaining control of key institutions, & power structures.
Tellingly, the speakers vehemently condemn the banning of Germany's Compact magazine. As the Guardian reported, "The most recent issue featured the cover tagline “Germany for the Germans”, an old Nazi slogan sung in May by a group of well-heeled partygoers on the island of Sylt..."
But it's the blueprint for political change the speakers propose, for New Zealand, that I focussed on. They highlighted what Curtis Yarvin calls "the cathedral" - the network of media, academic, and cultural institutions that shape public opinion and discourse. Yarvin's opposed to liberal democracy. Quoting from analysis penned today, I noted this theory proposes that political change requires:
Yarvin's Wikipedia entry surfaces an interesting connection with Peter Thiel - who is a citizen of New Zealand (though most in the country want to, and with no doubt good reason, forget this fact). But it matters for what's proposed, by whom, and how.
The theory of political capture proposed by the speakers, extracted from a study of what they say in the podcast, is a synthesis of Yarvin's arguments. But it gets even more interesting, because the speakers also reference Carl Schmitt extremely favourably.
In my Bluesky post I referenced an article by Angus Brown on Jacobin, published in 2022: The Left Should Have Nothing to Do With Carl Schmitt.
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Schmitt's ideas have gained traction of late, esp. in neo-con circles, & amongst Trumpian/MAGA Republicans violently opposed to a lib-dem order, & institutions. The speakers indicate Yarvin's neo-reactionary theory, influenced by thinkers like Schmitt, is increasingly popular amongst far-right.
The speakers also favourably reference Trump's VP pick/running mate JD Vance, as someone who believes in this theory of political change linked to Schmitt, and Yarvin. This is true. Jennifer Szalai's capture in the New York Times essential reading in this regard. (Gift link)
This isn't a one-off podcast. The speakers have a regular cadence on network, alongside individuals from Europe, and the US who openly, & regularly share the tropes signalling same violent extremism that the Christchurch killer espoused. Some of them the killer was directly in touch with as well.
This network is shaping minds, perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours. It is cultivating an end-state in New Zealand modelling on the political philosophy of Nazis, & their modern-day ideologues, like JD Vance in the US et al, given succour by Trump, but I believe even more dangerous than him.
Given New Zealand's Foreign Minister meets with offline, & regularly appears on this very network, I've asked if, "...[intel services] aren't aware of what I study, or if the classified advisories they give government officials are going unheeded or under-appreciated."
This theory of political change, evident in other programming, also targets Maori as language, identity, community, culture, history, & Te Tiriti led futures. It also targets GLBTIQA+ identities. This podcast network's a clear radicalisation pathway, & I don't see any counter-speech against it.
Bien pensant approaches like thinking "she'll be alright" to strategic, sophisticated, growing threats openly targeting the jugular of NZ's lib-dem firmament aren't going to cut it. Path dependency of this content's traction is a socio-political future that mirrors the US today. Do NZ'ers want this?