Not All Are the Same The ongoing revelations about Jeffrey Epstein and his connections with powerful figures are fueling public anger, but an overemphasis on this scandal risks moral panic and distraction from critical issues facing liberal democracy. A historical parallel with the Stavisky affair in 1930s France illustrates how public distrust in elites, often fueled by antisemitic tropes, can be exploited by extremist groups to destabilize democratic institutions. The article warns that similar dynamics are at play today, with demagogues leveraging anti-elite sentiment, potentially leading to disastrous political outcomes.

• Revelations about Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to politicians, bankers, and other elites continue to surface, intensifying public anger.
• The public’s obsession with Epstein’s perversions carries the risk of moral panic and manipulation, potentially distracting from more significant threats to liberal democracy.
• The Stavisky affair in 1930s France serves as a historical precedent, where public anger towards elites was exploited by fascist and antisemitic groups, contributing to the downfall of the Third Republic.
• Contemporary leaders, like Donald Trump and far-right European figures, are exploiting anti-elite sentiment, which can be amplified by scandals involving individuals like Epstein, particularly if antisemitic undertones are present.
• While some elites have betrayed public trust, generalizing this to all elites is dangerous, as functional elites are essential for the stability of democratic institutions, including journalism, academia, and finance.
• Technological advancements and a distrust in expertise are contributing to a broader erosion of faith in established institutions.
• Demagogues who intentionally foster distrust in expertise and representation pose a serious threat to liberal democracy.
• The Epstein scandal could overshadow the real dangers to democracy, leading to conspiracy theories and the rise of authoritarian figures promising to ‘drain the swamp’.