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Modern society is currently grappling with a profound sense of instability, often described as a “vertigo” caused by economic insecurity and social fragmentation. As people feel their traditional identities slipping away, many are becoming increasingly alienated, making them vulnerable to populist narratives. Rather than seeking solutions in mainstream democratic discourse, some are being pulled toward radical movements that promise a return to a more orderly, idealized past. This longing for certainty provides fertile ground for groups claiming to be guardians of a lost social order, positioning themselves against modern shifts in demographics and culture as if they were symbols of fundamental societal decline.
At the heart of this shift is a resurgence of traditionalist, and often extremist, ideology that explicitly rejects liberal democracy. Influential thinkers of the past, like Julius Evola, provide a blueprint for these modern movements, advocating for strict hierarchies and spiritual purity over equality and inclusion. Unlike earlier political parties that sought change through the ballot box, contemporary far-right actors are moving toward a more decentralized, “post-organisational” model. They utilize a complex web of digital platforms—such as Telegram, private gaming servers, and encrypted apps—to organize street-level protests, spread misinformation, and recruit disaffected individuals through immersive subcultures.
This digital-first approach was clearly demonstrated during the 2024 UK riots, where false information about a knife attack in Southport spread like wildfire, triggering unrest across dozens of towns. These events were not spontaneous outbursts of organic community anger; they were accelerated by transnational networks that weaponized disinformation to turn deep-seated local grievances into organized insurgency. By framing these acts of violence as “community defense” or a fight for indigenous rights, these groups successfully mask their exclusionary and often hateful agendas behind a thin, populist veneer, appealing to those who feel left behind by the state.
A critical element of this mobilization is the strategic use of algorithms and “fuzzy” online communities. Social media platforms, by favoring content that drives engagement, often lead users down a “radicalization pipeline,” where an innocent interest in political news can eventually steer them toward extreme, conspiratorial content. This environment has shifted the way the far-right operates: they no longer rely solely on manifestos, but on a constant stream of memes, AI-generated imagery, and short-form propaganda. This creates a state of “ambient” radicalization, where individuals are gradually conditioned to distrust institutions and minority groups without ever having to formally join a political party.
To understand why this is happening, one must look at the tension between two competing worldviews: the optimistic, structural critique of late modernity proposed by Jock Young, and the cynical, hierarchical philosophy of Evola. Young argues that our current unrest is a symptom of “obstructed citizenship”—a failure of our systems to provide equity and belonging, causing people to turn on one another. Evola’s followers, however, view the same social fractures as a sign that we must abandon democracy altogether in favor of rigid traditionalism. The current far-right movement embraces this latter view, essentially weaponizing modern loneliness and economic hardship to justify the dismantling of minority rights and institutional checks.
Ultimately, addressing this crisis requires a multi-layered, robust response that goes beyond simply calling for “more policing.” We must address the “vertigo” of modern life by tackling the economic neglect and inequality that leave towns feeling abandoned. This involves proactive digital regulation to break up the extremist pipelines, alongside a renewed commitment to inclusive citizenship that ensures all people feel they have a stake in our society. By countering disinformation with transparency and fostering deep, local civil engagement, society can blunt the appeal of extremist rhetoric, proving that the solution to our shared uncertainty is not in the restoration of a mythic, narrow past, but in the collective creation of a more equitable future.