The future is not for negotiation. Anti-political Apocalypticism in Far-Right Populism and beyond

Abstract

This article examines the transformation of apocalypticism as a framework for interpreting crisis in late-modern society, focusing on the far-right populist AfD in Germany. Drawing on Blühdorn's (2024) theory of "untenability," it explores how apocalyptic narratives, once central to emancipatory movements with utopian visions, have shifted toward hollow, anti-political interpretations, particularly within right-wing populism. This transformation reflects a societal depletion of the capacity for collective, democratic responses to crises. By analyzing this shift, the article reveals the contradictions in contemporary society's struggle to address challenges such as climate change and social inequality while maintaining the promises of freedom and emancipation.