Anton Jäger's 'Hyperpolitics' Maps 4 Political Eras for a Fragmented Left
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 23
Anton Jäger's 'Hyperpolitics' Maps 4 Political Eras for a Fragmented Left
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 23
Summary
32-year-old Oxford lecturer Anton Jäger says today’s politics is defined by “hyperpolitics” — intense mobilisation without durable organisations or lasting policy gains — a thesis now circulating among Labour watchers and leftwing thinkers.
His book divides recent history into four eras: mass politics from 1914-1989, post-politics from 1989-2008, anti-politics after the financial crash, and hyperpolitics from roughly 2020, when movements erupt online and in streets but rarely build institutions.
Jäger argues unions, parties and civic groups were hollowed out by neoliberal change, especially under Thatcher and Reagan, leaving both left and right reliant on charismatic leaders, digital networks and private money rather than membership structures.
That helps explain why he sees Trump-era politics less as classic fascism than as “Bonapartism” — leader-centred rule resting on passive, weakly organised support — while warning the far right still benefits from far deeper funding.
For Britain’s new Labour government, the broader implication is bleak: volatile political “swarms” can propel leaders to power, but without rebuilt institutions they may struggle to turn public energy into durable change.
What societal shifts make populations favor strong, personalized rule over traditional, party-based systems of governance?
As traditional parties fade, what new institutions can translate fleeting public passion into durable, real-world change?
Is the global erosion of legal institutions a symptom of our hyper-political era, or is it the primary cause?
Hyperpolitics in the 2020s: Causes, Consequences, and Strategies for Democratic Renewal
Overview
This report explores the rise of hyperpolitics since 2020, a period marked by intense and polarized political engagement that often leads to anti-political rage and widespread feelings of hopelessness. Despite high levels of activism and public demonstrations, fundamental issues like economic inequality and deindustrialization remain unresolved. The focus has shifted from addressing systemic problems to spotlighting individual political figures, leaving many citizens deeply invested yet disillusioned by the lack of real change. Events such as the January 6, 2021 Capitol incident highlight how this paradox plays out, with political energy failing to produce meaningful solutions.