Eigil Söderin’s ”Rädda Landet” meticulously chronicles the Sverigedemokraterna’s (SD) calculated manipulation of truth and its devastating consequences. The book opens with a stark juxtaposition: the vibrant anti-fascist demonstration in Gothenburg in 2017, contrasted with the chilling presence of Theodor Engström, a future murderer radicalized by online hate, among the neo-Nazi NMR marchers. This sets the stage for Söderin’s exploration of the SD’s strategic shift in 2012, marking the inception of a sophisticated propaganda machine designed to simultaneously project an image of respectability while fueling a toxic undercurrent of disinformation.
Söderin’s central argument revolves around the SD’s deliberate creation of a two-faced strategy. Outwardly, the party presents a façade of moderation, feigning indignation at any association with its historical roots in white supremacist movements. Behind this carefully constructed mask, however, lies a sprawling network of online ”troll factories,” churning out distorted narratives, historical revisionism, and targeted attacks against political opponents and journalists. This dual approach allows the SD to court mainstream acceptance while simultaneously harnessing the potent force of online hate to mobilize its base and undermine public trust in established institutions.
The book delves into the mechanics of this disinformation campaign, highlighting the SD’s exploitation of social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Söderin exposes the party’s deployment of armies of pseudonymous accounts, fabricated personas designed to amplify extremist rhetoric and sow discord. These online trolls, operating with impunity, relentlessly targeted figures like Annie Lööf, subjecting her to a barrage of vicious attacks and threats that ultimately drove her from politics. The tragic irony is that while the SD publicly condemns such behavior, its own machinery actively cultivates this climate of hatred.
The case of Theodor Engström, the man who murdered Ing-Marie Wieselgren and planned to assassinate Annie Lööf, serves as a chilling illustration of the real-world consequences of this online toxicity. Engström’s radicalization through platforms like Avpixlat, a website founded by former SD member Kent Ekeroth, demonstrates the dangerous link between online hate speech and real-world violence. Söderin underscores the chilling effectiveness of this tactic: Lööf’s departure from politics stands as a testament to the power of the SD’s strategy, a victory achieved through orchestrated harassment and intimidation.
Söderin meticulously documents the SD’s sophisticated propaganda apparatus, detailing its evolution from the relatively unstructured online trolling of the early 2010s to the highly organized, professionally managed disinformation campaigns of recent years. The hiring of Joakim Wallerstein, a seasoned advertising executive, in 2012 marked a turning point, transforming the SD’s online presence into a well-oiled machine designed to manipulate public opinion and advance the party’s political agenda. This transformation allowed the SD to simultaneously project an image of mainstream respectability while continuing to exploit the power of online hate.
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of Söderin’s analysis is not the revelation of the SD’s tactics, but the apparent impotence of factual counterarguments. The book underscores the disconcerting reality that even meticulous documentation of the SD’s disinformation campaigns seems to have little impact on the party’s supporters or its political allies. This points to a deeper crisis of political morality, where the pursuit of power trumps any commitment to truth or accountability. The SD’s success highlights the dangerous erosion of shared reality in the face of relentless propaganda, a trend with profound implications for the future of democratic discourse. Söderin’s book serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of truth in the digital age and the urgent need to combat the spread of disinformation.
