The global resurgence of far-right sentiment is often portrayed as a challenge to the political establishment, but in reality, it frequently serves the interests of those in power. Across Europe and the wider Western world, far-right movements claim to champion the grievances of "ordinary people," yet their presence often distracts from the deeper issues of economic inequality, corporate power, and systemic corruption. In Ireland, this dynamic is becoming especially evident, where far-right rhetoric, despite its claims of populism, ultimately reinforces the status quo and benefits the political and economic elites.
The Far-Right as a Convenient Distraction
One of the primary ways the establishment benefits from the rise of far-right movements is through distraction. Economic crises, housing shortages, and stagnating wages are the result of decades of neoliberal policies that favour the wealthy and powerful. These policies, promoted by mainstream political parties, both left and right, have created a growing sense of disenfranchisement among large segments of the population. Rather than addressing the root causes of this discontent such as corporate exploitation, housing shortages, or failing public services far-right groups offer simplistic scapegoats: immigrants, minorities, and cultural changes.
In Ireland, far-right figures have focused much of their rhetoric on anti-immigrant sentiment and a supposed "threat" to Irish identity. By doing so, they divert attention away from the structural issues that are truly impacting people's lives, such as the housing crisis, austerity measures, and underfunded public services. The establishment benefits from this diversion because it shifts the focus of public anger away from economic elites and political leaders who have overseen these failures and redirects it towards marginalised groups who have little power to affect systemic change.
By creating a climate of fear and division, far-right movements allow the establishment to maintain their policies of economic austerity and privatisation with little scrutiny. When public anger is misdirected toward immigrants or other vulnerable groups, the political and corporate elite are relieved of the pressure to implement meaningful reforms. In essence, the far-right acts as a safety valve for the establishment, channelling dissatisfaction in ways that pose no real threat to their interests.
The Irish Example: Far-Right Growth Amid Social Crisis
Ireland, which has long enjoyed a reputation for being socially progressive and inclusive, has not been immune to the global resurgence of far-right sentiment. Economic pressures, particularly the country's severe housing crisis, have created fertile ground for such movements to gain traction. Rents and home prices have skyrocketed, and homelessness is at record levels, while wages for many have stagnated. These economic realities have left many people feeling disenfranchised, but rather than target the true culprits government policies favouring property developers, landlords, and international investment funds the far-right focuses on immigrants and refugees as the source of the problem.
Far-right figures in Ireland have used the housing crisis as a wedge issue to stoke resentment against the government’s immigration policies, claiming that foreign nationals are competing for scarce housing and services. This narrative has gained traction despite the fact that immigrants make up a small portion of the population, and the real issue lies in the chronic underfunding of public housing and the prioritisation of private investment in real estate. By shifting the blame for housing shortages onto immigrants, the far-right helps deflect criticism from the corporate interests that profit from the current system of privatised housing and government inaction on rent controls or affordable housing projects.
This focus on immigration as the source of Ireland's problems is not only misleading but also highly beneficial to the political establishment. The government can continue to implement neoliberal policies, further entrenching inequality, while the far-right offers a convenient foil to more progressive voices calling for systemic reform. The establishment may publicly denounce far-right rhetoric, but privately, many benefit from the deflection of public anger.
Recent opinion polls have added further weight to this argument, Fine Gael the long term party of power, surged in recent polls at a time when far right sentiment is at its highest. Fianna Fail their coalition partners have also witnessed their support rise, though more modestly, both party's are heavily aligned to developers, corporations and neo liberal ideology. In contrast the more radical Sinn Fein and far left groups have suffered drops in support. In the case of Sinn Fein their drop in support could be described as a near collapse, falling from 38% at its height just last year to 18% in recent polling. It is noticeable that Sinn Fein have been the main focus of the far rights anger on social media. They are routinely described as "Globalists", "Traitors" " Sell outs" and so on, no doubt to the amusement and joy of the traditional party's of Government.
Divide and Conquer: Weakening Solidarity
Another key way in which the establishment benefits from the rise of far-right movements is by weakening solidarity among the working class and marginalised groups. Historically, solidarity across lines of race, nationality, and gender has been a powerful force for challenging economic inequality and political corruption. Far-right ideologies, which emphasise division and exclusion, undermine this solidarity by pitting different groups against each other.
In Ireland, as in many other countries, the far-right’s strategy of blaming immigrants and refugees for social and economic woes erodes the potential for a united movement demanding systemic change. By framing issues like housing shortages or strained public services as problems caused by outsiders, far-right movements prevent the formation of broad-based coalitions that could effectively challenge the establishment. This division works in the interests of political and economic elites, who fear a unified working-class movement that could demand higher wages, better working conditions, and more equitable policies.
Moreover, the establishment can co-opt the language of moderation and stability to present themselves as the only viable alternative to the far-right. Faced with the rise of extremist rhetoric, centrist politicians often position themselves as protectors of democracy and tolerance. In doing so, they reinforce the narrative that there is no alternative to the current political and economic order. This "lesser evil" argument effectively stifles more radical demands for social justice and economic reform, as voters are forced to choose between the far-right and the status quo.
Far-Right Policy Failures Reinforce the Status Quo
When far-right movements have gained power, either directly or through influencing mainstream politics, their policy failures often further reinforce the establishment’s grip on power. Far-right leaders, once in office, tend to implement policies that disproportionately benefit the wealthy while continuing to scapegoat minorities and immigrants. These policies, far from addressing the economic grievances of their base, often exacerbate inequality and leave the root causes of discontent untouched.
For example, far-right populism often promises economic protectionism, but in practice, such governments frequently adopt neoliberal economic policies that favour large corporations and the wealthy. In Ireland, should far-right sentiment gain more influence, it is unlikely that this would result in any significant challenge to the dominant neoliberal economic model. Instead, the far-right would likely continue to deflect blame for economic problems onto immigrants and other marginalised groups while maintaining the status quo of privatisation and austerity.
In this way, far-right movements serve as a false solution to genuine problems. Their rise may briefly disrupt political discourse, but they rarely enact policies that challenge the core structures of power. In fact, by stoking division and fear, they make it easier for the establishment to avoid accountability for the very issues inequality, housing, healthcare that drove people to the far-right in the first place.
Conclusion: A Strategy of Manipulation
The rise of far-right sentiment in Ireland, as elsewhere, is not an existential threat to the political and economic establishment. Instead, it is a useful tool that benefits those in power by distracting the public, weakening solidarity, and ultimately reinforcing the status quo. While far-right movements may claim to represent the disillusioned and disenfranchised, their policies and rhetoric often serve to protect the very elites they purport to oppose.
In Ireland today, the rise of far-right sentiment is being fueled by real grievances, such as the housing crisis and economic inequality. However, instead of addressing these problems through systemic reform, the far-right channels public anger toward immigrants and minorities. In doing so, they not only harm vulnerable communities but also strengthen the hand of the political and economic establishment, which remains largely unchallenged in its pursuit of neoliberal policies that continue to deepen inequality.
The lesson is clear: while the far-right may present itself as a solution to the failures of the current system, it is ultimately a distraction that benefits the powerful. The real challenge for those who seek change is to build movements that unite, rather than divide, and that focus on the structural issues that underlie the problems facing Irish society today.
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