A Multifaceted Mirror Reflecting the Crisis of Democracy— A Commentary on The Secret Corner
一面映照出民主制度危机的多棱镜---《隐秘的角落》述评
by Ren Jingjing (任晶晶)
【Editor's Note: Laura Bates’s The Secret Corner is a chilling investigation into the rise of online extremist communities—particularly the incel (involuntary celibate) subculture—and their growing influence on global politics. Through rigorous research and interviews, Bates charts how these groups, once fringe and anonymous, now shape real-world discourse by fusing misogyny, white nationalism, and far-right populism. Figures like Donald Trump and Steve Bannon, she argues, have offered tacit support through dog-whistle rhetoric, giving legitimacy to hateful ideologies. Bates traces the incel movement’s evolution from emotional grievance forums to organized hate hubs, detailing their manipulation of media, political infiltration, and exploitation by populist leaders across the U.S., U.K., and Australia. She warns that social media algorithms, political polarization, and institutional failure have allowed these ideologies to thrive, threatening democracy and public safety. Rather than moral panic, the book calls for structural reform, media accountability, and a rethinking of masculinity to counteract this rising tide of digital extremism.】
Laura Bates (劳拉·贝茨)’s latest work, The Secret Corner (《隐秘的角落》), may not enjoy the same level of recognition in the Chinese-speaking world as her earlier representative book, Everyday Sexism (《每天的性别歧视》). Yet the topics it tackles—particularly its dissection of the incel (运衰儿) (involuntary celibate, meaning “非自愿独身男性群体”) phenomenon and its profound ties to populism and authoritarianism—are growing ever more relevant in today’s global discourse and political spectrum. Drawing on years of research, interviews, and a wealth of data, Bates exposes the rise and interconnectedness of far-right, gender-extremist forces that lurk online yet increasingly shape real-world events. For anyone following American politics or the global political-economic landscape, this book offers not only an inquiry into how extremist ideologies seep into the public domain but also a prism through which to observe the crisis currently testing democracy and public opinion.
From “Hidden” to “Overt”: The Threat of Extremism
The central concern of The Secret Corner lies in showing how certain online communities, especially incel groups, transition from insular forums and private networks to exerting destructive political energy on the mainstream stage. Bates points out that although these communities initially appear as sources of emotional support or alliances formed around shared struggles—seemingly places where a small group of men air their frustrations—they steadily merge their sense of misfortune and isolation with far-right populism, misogyny, or racist viewpoints. They begin excluding anyone who disagrees with them, displaying violent tendencies not only through language and online harassment but also in troubling real-world acts of hatred.
Bates emphasizes in the book that these groups, under the banner of defending so-called “male values,” often claim to oppose “female privilege,” though they are in fact declaring an intensely misogynist and exclusionary political stance. More importantly, she maps this radicalized “involuntary celibacy” culture onto the new wave of authoritarianism and populism, demonstrating that figures like Donald Trump (唐纳德·特朗普), Steve Bannon (史蒂夫·班农), and certain European far-right politicians have proven adept at exploiting or accommodating such extremist positions. Their “dog-whistle” rhetoric may preserve a thin veneer of respectability relative to the mainstream political discourse, yet it consistently offers tacit signals to extremists, who come to feel “protected” or “endorsed.”
Consequently, The Secret Corner is not just a probe into how extreme misogyny takes root; on a deeper level, it asks why these ideas, originating in the darkest corners of the internet, have in recent years roiled the political arenas of Europe and beyond. If globalization and economic disarray have bred social anxiety, then the rapid expansion of these groups and their alignment with far-right politics undoubtedly serve as a stark warning.
Group Profile, Media Manipulation, and Political Infiltration
Bates’s argument unfolds along three main lines.
First, she meticulously charts the terrain of incels, “pickup artists” (PUA), and the broader men’s circles or alt-right forums. Citing academic studies alongside her own field investigations and interviews, the author illuminates the varied strata within these communities. She refrains from condemning all “involuntary celibates” outright, carefully distinguishing between the more extreme misogynists and conspiracy theorists and those who are relatively moderate or passively drawn in. She notes that these forums often demonize women as exploiters or disparage them as “materialistic, gold-digging, and irrational,” blaming every societal disruption and personal failure on “women having too many rights” or “the overreach of feminism.” Ironically, the so-called “leaders” within these forums frequently capitalize on their followers’ vulnerability, selling “courses,” “self-help” products, or shock-value misogynist content in carefully repackaged forms, while offering little real assistance to those genuinely in distress.
Second, Bates devotes considerable space to dissecting dog-whistle politics and media manipulation. She provides examples of how former U.S. President Trump, as well as several European, Australian, and even British politicians, employ “coded signals” during campaigns or in everyday rhetoric, prompting far-right and misogynistic supporters to believe they have the politicians’ endorsement. Trump’s demeaning language toward women and immigrants, for instance, elicited cheers from extremist online circles; his partnership with Bannon further propelled “alt-right” rhetoric into the mainstream. Another critical instance involves British politicians such as Philip Davies (菲利普·戴维斯) or Boris Johnson (鲍里斯·约翰逊), whose ties to extremist media or advisers (including Bannon) underscore how official political circles and online extremist groups can collude. Looking to Australia’s One Nation Party and its interactions with so-called “bro advice” misogynist communities, we see that by trading votes and media buzz, these politicians often reap substantial benefits.
Finally, Bates examines the problem through the lens of democratic governance, analyzing why these extremist, exclusionary, and misogynistic viewpoints no longer face widespread censure from mainstream society. Instead, they thrive in an environment shaped by social media and heightened political polarization. Social platforms’ negligence of “extreme traffic,” sensationalism in news coverage, and certain elite factions’ willingness to dismiss “political correctness” as a mere joke—all have nurtured incels and other extremist ideologies. She further contends that a deeper failure of democratic institutions lurks behind it all: distortions in party systems and public discourse, coupled with acute voter anxiety, unemployment, and a lack of adequate education or public services, have left the door wide open to populism and conspiracy theories. In this warped political climate, extremist views have emerged from the shadows to stoke the public’s fears and grievances.
The Impact on American and Global Politics and Economics
From the book’s findings to real-life developments, it is hardly surprising, in light of the rise of Trumpism in the United States and electoral gains by populist parties across Europe, that incels and related extremist ideologies are becoming crucial props for the new wave of populism and authoritarianism.
First, turning our attention to American politics: after Trump’s victory, many of his most controversial statements—both during his campaign and early in his presidency—were met with fervent support in incel and other extremist misogynistic, racist forums. Bates explains how these groups interpreted certain remarks as “tacit approval or outright encouragement,” emboldening them to believe that “the most powerful person in the world has our back.” Policy positions on immigration and women’s rights (including attempts to limit abortion access) also aligned closely with these groups’ extreme views. The consequences have extended beyond online bickering, posing potential threats to democratic processes and public safety. In some instances, venomous misogynistic and racist rhetoric has escalated, inspiring increased violence and contempt for political institutions.
Nor can we dismiss the global spread of incel ideologies. From the inflammatory discourse surrounding Brexit in the United Kingdom, to the One Nation Party’s distortion of domestic violence issues in Australia, to the exploitation of gender and immigration topics by populist parties across Europe, Bates’s insights are consistently borne out. Growing economic inequality, the decline of traditional industries, and the unemployment and social alienation faced by many young men are readily harnessed by extremists to target women, immigrants, or other “outsiders.” They simplify complex social problems into black-and-white antagonisms, cloaking their calls to “save men’s dignity” or “defend national security” in an effort to incite widespread fear and zealous political fervor. On the global stage, these developments exacerbate political polarization, drive electoral victories for “strongman” figures, and normalize far-right rhetoric in public discourse.
In the current political and economic climate, many nations are contending with sluggish growth and widening inequality, leaving swathes of young men genuinely struggling to find stable jobs and meaningful lives. However, incel dogma offers no real remedies—merely scapegoating women, immigrants, or “elite conspiracies.” Populist politicians seize this opening to sow division through crude slogans. Since power brokers and media gatekeepers often tolerate or even abet such tactics, serious economic reforms and social welfare debates go largely ignored, while hate-driven agitation continues to win votes. In Bates’s view, this anti-intellectual, exclusionary spiral will ultimately jeopardize social stability and economic development alike.
Why Do We Need Such a Mirror?
Undoubtedly, The Secret Corner broadens public understanding of today’s “invisible extremism.” Its value lies not only in its abundance of case studies and data, but in its examination of how extremist elements interact with mainstream politics. Many works on misogyny, racism, and populism are confined to their own silos, yet Bates weaves them together, reminding us that these online communities should not be dismissed as mere curiosities or fringe oddities. Rather, they lay bare deeper political, economic, and social pathologies.
Admittedly, the book reflects Bates’s characteristic feminist outlook. Some readers may feel her sharpest critiques focus on exposing male-dominated networks, with relatively few concrete proposals for reforming political institutions or economic systems. She does not intend to offer a comprehensive policy roadmap; rather, by compiling extensive research and sociological observation, she aims to guide readers in grasping how “hidden corners” move into the spotlight. Those in search of expansive strategies for institutional overhaul or sweeping historical analysis of global populism would do well to supplement The Secret Corner with additional scholarly or political commentary.
In a time of global turbulence and the resurgence of extremist thinking, the cautionary message of The Secret Corner carries special urgency. From the perspective of someone deeply invested in social justice and gender equality, Bates illustrates how incels—extreme, insular, misogynistic, xenophobic, nihilistic, and conspiracy-minded—emerge from seemingly marginal groups, only to be cleverly co-opted by politicians and media, ultimately eroding the public sphere of democratic institutions.
Its warning is that incels are not just noisy trolls online; they illuminate the broader dynamic between new digital formats and established power structures: once mainstream political figures or their teams harness extremist rhetoric judiciously, it can wield a tangible impact on society, threatening the foundations of legality, rights, and public discourse. That possibility should concern everyone in the information age, as it is hardly a distant risk.
Unveiling the Human Predicament Behind Social and Political Crises
Time and again, Bates underscores that understanding “the social environment in which these young men come of age” is essential, compelling us to confront a troubling fact: real human suffering underlies any political or social crisis. When waves of extremist rhetoric descend, dissatisfaction and pain are easily stoked and exploited. To prevent a 21st-century relapse into totalitarianism and populism, mere condemnation is insufficient; structural reforms on multiple levels and a collective cultural reckoning are imperative. For America, Europe, and the global community, the challenge is to fortify democratic resilience while also offering robust support and a diverse cultural environment for the younger generation, especially those feeling isolated.
In this sense, The Secret Corner is a timely and cautionary work. It reminds us that fear and hatred do not simply spring from “a handful of dark forces,” but are instead fueled by repeated compromise, indulgence, and silence, eventually corroding rationality and inclusion in the public square. When such radical impulses and political-economic interests converge, they can create fractures on an international scale, undermining democracy and the foundations of pluralistic consensus.
Engaging with The Secret Corner calls for vigilance against extremism and self-reflection on our own social and political context; it also prompts us to imagine whether, in an era of globalized economics and fragmented information, we can foster a society more empathetic and inclusive. This is the challenge to every reader concerned with public affairs and human connection—and precisely why this book matters so much right now. By exposing the “hidden” fanaticism to the light of day, we gain a clearer view of the dangers posed by extremism, populism, and sexism, and can rally broader support in defense of democracy and public justice.