Tackling the rise of the far right: Equality, truth and democratic legitimacy

With the first ever election of a One Nation Lower House MP, Australia is joining other advanced democracies in grappling with the rise of the far right, a phenomenon that has seen the US democracy crumbling under Trump’s MAGA regime. In this presentation, we discuss the problems of the far right through the lens of equality, truth and democratic legitimacy and propose solutions to counter its toxic gravitational pull.

1. Dr Nathan Manning and Dr Djordje Stefanovic, Senior Lecturers at Adelaide University, will discuss their research about ‘aggrieved egalitarianism’ which finds young men co-opt support for equality to oppose measures to address structural inequality.

2. Dr Victoria Fielding, Senior Lecturer at Adelaide University, ties post-truth media and communication to far right politics by discussing how Trump’s Make America Great Again narrative is underpinned by structural lies which mislead voters about the movement’s true political interests.

3. Oscar Kaspi-Crutchett, Senior Research Organiser at the Victorian Trades Hall Council, will present key ideas from their report ‘Antidote’ which argues trade unionism is the best vaccine against far-right politics.

This event is part of the Australian Festival of Democracy & Human Rights, hosted by the University of Queensland Social Change Lab from 1 - 5 June, 2026. Follow this link to view the festival event schedule.

Note: If you are interested in this topic but are not able to attend, all registered guests will be emailed a recording of the seminar.