The Success and Sustainability of American Nationalist Movements

This chapter analyzes the viability of the selected case studies in legitimizing or mainstreaming their goals and ideology, as well as paths to success and/or failure. The chapter provides prescriptions for both movements and highlights obstacles that may impede each from achieving stated goals or solidifying political victories (electoral, legislative, or ideologically within the wider society). The phases of social movement theory first promulgated by Herbert Blumer is explained in this chapter as a method of considering future movements. The success of American social movements is traditionally marked by legislative victories or codification of change (which is what Black Lives Matter is seeking), while contemporary movements have been successful at achieving electoral victories (that of Donald Trump); this chapter explores that dichotomy as well.

Steeping Tea and the Rise of the Alt-Right

This chapter explores the rise of the Tea Party, parts of which transitioned into the recently established Alt-Right movement. It is crucial to understanding the Alt-Right and their principles to evaluate the original iteration, the Tea Party, and its devolution into its current form. The chapter analyzes the perceived racist or xenophobic tone of the Alt-Right movement, and how that translates into political action for their participants, including the most recent event in Charlottesville, North Carolina. The chapter examines the use of internet culture, including an adept use of memes, to solidify not only support for their chosen presidential candidate in 2016, but the movement in contemporary American political society. The concept of fake news is considered in the chapter, and the demonstrated effect that not knowing what to believe is having on American society, including the Pizzagate episode from 2016.

The Case for Social Justice

This chapter explains the fomentation of the Black Lives Matter movement, which began as a hashtag in 2013. The chapter explores the ideology and goals of the movement, as well as past and current tactics that the movement participants are utilizing to bring awareness to their cause. The chapter highlights numerous high-profile incidents that propelled Black Lives Matter onto the national stage, including the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, and Sandra Bland. The chapter juxtaposes Black Lives Matter against other contemporary American social movements such as Occupy Wall Street to better understand the development of an opposition movement in the U.S.

Strands of Nationalism

The chapter delves into the strands of nationalism that exist in contemporary politics and explains the roots of nationalism as an ideology and practice. Global nationalist movements and politics are examined in this chapter, including the Kurdish conflict and the electoral politics of Geert Wilders (The Netherlands), Marine Le Pen (France), and the implications of the Brexit vote. The origins of the Alt-Right ideology, which is heavily informed by varying concepts of nationalism, are explored, including prominent figures such as Richard Spencer and Jared Taylor. In the “Internet as a Nationalist Tool” section, the shifting media structure and influence of digital culture on politics and ideology is explained.

The Future of the American Nationalist Movements

This chapter succinctly summarizes the contemporary American nationalist movement and examines the potential for future movements and implications of current movements, both domestically and internationally. The chapter unwraps the policy and political consequences that the global community (particularly the U.S.) faces as a result of a sharp turn inward to nationalist ideologies and political figures. The divisive nature of nationalism (whether it is its purest form in regards to the nation-state, or ethnically/racially motivated) is dangerous to the globalized order in which we reside. This chapter highlights these dangers and leaves the reader to determine the future of the American nationalist movement.