This book examines Germany's political party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), particularly how they test assumptions about democracy and redefine its norms.
This book examines the relationship between democracy and extremism through Germany’s political party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), focusing on how its members tested assumptions about democracy and redefined its norms. Through extensive ethnographic research with AfD members, this book reveals three methods they employed: disruption of memory politics, information and narrative control, and provocative performance strategies. Ultimately, it demonstrates how seemingly mundane techniques, like songs, performances, and infographics, can drastically redefine democratic norms and policy. Students, general readers, and scholars across the social sciences will find this book an invaluable resource in understanding the politics of naming democracy and extremism.
Preface: Preserving Liberties Through the Last Generation
Introduction: Who Is Democratic? Who Is Extreme?
1 A Government Investigation and a Political Party
2 Sounding Disruption for Germanys Future
3 Crafting the Image in the War on Information
4 Laughing With Nazis and the War on Words
Epilogue: A Homage to Democracy
April L. Reber is a political anthropologist and postdoctoral fellow at the Philipps-University Marburg. She researched the relationship between democracy and extremism and conducted fieldwork on the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Germany. Her research was funded by the National Science Foundation, Fulbright Program, German Academic Exchange Service, and Shallit Fund.
