Overcoming Fatalism

“When governments fail to address wealth inequality, cost of living crises, and collapsing public services, it provides fertile conditions for fatalism to grow.” Referencing research from FrameWorks, Boait reflects on how “decades of cultural individualism have left people unreceptive to ideas rooted in universalist principles; indeed, collectivist mindsets have been so weakened in the UK that any form of collectivism can now easily be seen as a threat,” and how “when collectivism is perceived as a threat, strongmen like Farage appeal by promising to protect people based on their individual identities.” They caution that “whilst messaging is critical, countering fatalism fundamentally requires moving people out of a ‘fear’ mindset, since research shows that fear and anger can reduce people’s sense of agency.” Which means listening to people, activating curiosity, and demonstrating, with honesty and humility “that we are all holding uncertainty together, but that through that uncertainty we can still find shared purpose for collective change.”