Noor Popular Education School on Countering the Far Right: KNOW YOUR ENEMY. session 2: Propaganda and Narrative: Analyzing how the concept of “the other” is constructed to shape perceptions and influence public opinion

The Global Far Right & Its Core Pillars: Far-right movements operate as a global network, adapting to local contexts but united by core ideas: they promote ethno-religious supremacy, racial supremacy, and misogyny; glorify a mythical golden past; stoke fears of demographic replacement; frame themselves as victims; create enemies; and admire authoritarian leaders while resorting to violence.

Digital Platforms & Propaganda: Social media acts as a powerful amplifier for far-right narratives, with algorithms rewarding outrage and boosting extremist content. Through diaspora networks, online subcultures like the incels and manosphere, and exploitative platform dynamics, their influence spreads across borders. Far-right groups deliberately distort truth, filling information vacuums with propaganda that manipulates perceptions, especially during conflicts, political crises, and social flashpoints. Recognizing this digital ecosystem and the strategic use of misinformation is essential for building effective responses.

Narratives & Strategic Reframing: Narratives shape how people perceive reality, make decisions, and assign value. Far-right narratives rely on fear, nostalgia, victimhood, and conspiracy, reinforcing harmful frames. Effective responses require proactive narrative shaping - not just reacting, but reframing stories for diverse audiences to shift dominant narratives and influence perceptions.

Noor’s #KnowYourEnemy School held its session 2 on Aug 29!

Participants explored the global #FarRight, its online influence & strategies for narrative change. Led by Raqib Hameed Naik (CSOH) & Kwem (Global Narrative Hive). More learnings to come!

#NoorSchool #CounterTheFarRight #PopularEducation

Topic 1: Cultural Anxiety and Far-Right Mobilization The far right fuels cultural fears to defend “national identity.” Tactics include: anti-immigration panic, “family protection” rhetoric, anti-gender/anti-LGBTQ+ narratives, and religious moral panics. Case studies from different cultural contexts show: how scapegoats (migrants, LGBTQ+ people, minorities) are targeted to rally support while masking economic inequality. Race is weaponized: e.g. denying racism while undermining Indigenous or minority rights. 👉 These patterns reveal how fear and cultural anxiety are mobilized to legitimize exclusion and backlash against feminist, LGBTQ+, and minority movements.

Topic 2: Understanding the Far Right as a Global Movement Far-right groups work transnationally, sharing funding, tactics, and narratives while adapting to local contexts. Actors across politics, religion, finance, tech, and law collaborate to influence policy, shape discourse, and weaken democracy. Their strategies rely on cultural panic, making fact-checking less effective. 👉 Local variations (anti-LGBTQI, anti-immigrant, anti-minority) all follow the same global playbook.

Topic 3: Feminist Analysis and Resistance Far-right agendas rely on controlling women and gender-diverse people, using misogyny as a political tool. Structural drivers like capitalism, inequality, and colonial legacies fuel far-right growth. Actors across feminist and queer movements collaborate through information sharing, transnational alliances, collaborative advocacy, and face-to-face organizing to resist these agendas. 👉 These movements increasingly intersect with eco-fascism, climate denialism, and state-supported anti-feminist networks.

(2/3): The first session traced the origins & evolution of far-right movements and opened space for participants to share practical strategies to counter their influence. 🌍✊🏽
#FeministEducation #CounterTheFarRight