| |
| author |
Sarah Gass
| | title |
The Promulgation of
the Alt-Right in
American Politics:
Nativism in Contemporary
Political Discourse
| | abstract |
This thesis focuses on the political movement known as the alt-right. I explore the factors
that can explain why and how the alt-right has moved from the fringes of political conversation
and become a mainstream movement. I draw on a number of academic and contemporary sources
to explain that the alt-right is not a new or contemporary movement. Rather, it is a manifestation
of nativist politics that have existed in America for over a century. This argument contributes a
new take on understanding the alt-right as it looks beyond 21st century politics and recognizes the
deep historical roots of nativist politics that underpin contemporary alt-right groups. In my
research, I refer to Thomas Main's book, The Rise of the Alt Right, which maps the trajectory of
the modern alt-right movement. However, I expand on this, and other existing literature to assert
that the alt-right's historical roots in nativism, racism and white supremacy, paired with its online
tactics and alignment with certain conservative groups has enabled the movement to move from
the fringes of political conversation to the mainstream. This thesis goes beyond contemporary
analysis of the alt-right's ascent and fleshes out the historical underpinnings that predicate its
existence, solidifying the understanding that the alt-right is in no way alternative or new. That
rather, it is the latest manifestation of nativist politics which have threatened the democratic values
of America for decades.
| | school |
The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
| | degree |
B.A. (2021)
|
| advisor |
Phil Mundo
|
| committee |
Patrick McGuinn
Scott Morgan
|
| full text |
this thesis has been restricted
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