Die unglückliche Ehe von Kapitalismus und Demokratie als Ursache der Krise in Europa

The author contends that the current political crisis in Europe, often labeled as the rise of 'illiberal democracy,' is more accurately described as the rise of 'authoritarian capitalism.' This shift is driven by the incompatibility of global economic integration, national states, and democracy, which has left marginalized groups—described as 'vagabonds'—vulnerable to right-wing exploitation. The text argues that left-wing parties have failed by adopting economic liberalism and neglecting the working class, and suggests that only a return to egalitarian principles and a confrontation with the capitalist system can restore democratic legitimacy in Europe.

• The author argues that the term 'illiberal democracy' is a conceptual obstacle because it focuses only on the political domain, ignoring how 'liberalism' is tied to property rights and class politics. Instead, the author suggests the current trend in Europe is the rise of 'authoritarian capitalism,' where global economic integration forces national governments to lose democratic legitimacy and decision-making power over taxes and legislation.
• The rise of right-wing and nationalist parties in Europe is attributed to a class split and the failure of the left to represent those harmed by economic liberalization. While the 'elite urban middle class' supports progressive candidates, the 'low-income rural population and the working class' are drawn to the right because they lack the resources—such as education and networks—to adapt to global economic integration.
• The document identifies a specific tension in Europe where anti-establishment sentiment is being effectively exploited by the extreme right through anti-immigration policies, Islamophobia in Western Europe, and Euroskepticism or anti-LGBT sentiment in Eastern Europe. However, the author views this not simply as a right-wing surge, but as a broader rejection of the political establishment and a demand for 'real democracy.'
• To counter authoritarian capitalism, the author asserts that the European left must move beyond treating egalitarianism as a mere compensation mechanism and instead pursue an ambitious political project to fight class injustice and social status inequality.

APA

Žitko, D. D. M. (2016). Die unglückliche Ehe von Kapitalismus und Demokratie als Ursache der Krise in Europa. Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/die-ungluckliche-ehe-von-kapitalismus-und-demokratie-als-ursache-der-krise-in-europa/

Chicago

Žitko, Danijela Dolenec, Mislav. Die unglückliche Ehe von Kapitalismus und Demokratie als Ursache der Krise in Europa. Green European Journal, 2016. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/die-ungluckliche-ehe-von-kapitalismus-und-demokratie-als-ursache-der-krise-in-europa/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Žitko |first1=Danijela Dolenec, Mislav |title=Die unglückliche Ehe von Kapitalismus und Demokratie als Ursache der Krise in Europa |publisher=Green European Journal |date=1 July 2016 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/die-ungluckliche-ehe-von-kapitalismus-und-demokratie-als-ursache-der-krise-in-europa/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{itko2016die, author = {Žitko, Danijela Dolenec, Mislav}, title = {{Die unglückliche Ehe von Kapitalismus und Demokratie als Ursache der Krise in Europa}}, institution = {Green European Journal}, year = {2016}, month = jul, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/die-ungluckliche-ehe-von-kapitalismus-und-demokratie-als-ursache-der-krise-in-europa/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }