The Politics of Pandemics

The COVID-19 pandemic has colored the politics of 2020 from international to domestic, and the responses by countries have been politicized and limited by various actors. Regimes, both democratic and not, are using the chaotic pandemic environment to consolidate power under the executive, control the masses through decree, and shifting towards national and power bloc supply chains from the international supply chain that has been for all nations in the era of globalization and immediately after. This chapter will provide insight into how various nation-states are using nationalism to combat the pandemic, including the United States, United Kingdom, Chile, Russia, and Hungary. The chapter highlights the availability of the internet and social media platforms to spread mis- and dis-information that can hinder the work of a legitimate government attempting to respond earnestly and effectively to the pandemic.

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 ushering in an era of Conservative politics in the UK. 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.

Introduction

This chapter introduces readers to concepts of nationalism in historic and modern contexts. The concept of Otherness and alienation that are a symptom and result of increased nationalism in modern politics is explored. The use of digital technologies, including social networking platforms by contemporary nationalist movements is highlighted, explaining the influence that is afforded to average citizens via these tools. Communicative digital platforms are enabling dissent against both society and the state, and the egalitarian nature of digital technologies allows for the swift and often effective mobilization of protest that transcends the online into the public sphere.

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.

Black Lives Still Matter (2020)

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 and that have kept it in the public eye, including the most recent catalyst, George Floyd (2020).

The Rise of the Alt-Right, Trump, and the Global Nationalist Movement

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 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.