6.2.4.6 Retreat to Identity: Race, Religion and ‘Alt-right’ Nationalism
An extreme reaction to change is a retreat to identity – such as race, religion, or nation – for the support of people like themselves.
When people are seeking security, wanting to reverse recent changes in society such as those referred to in the previous sub-section (6.2.4.5), they sometimes retreat to the perceived safety and familiarity of their own cultural groups: a tribal instinct. They might focus on their race, their religion, or a sense that their national identity was threatened.
Both America’s mainstream parties had ignored the feelings of insecurity created by job losses caused by automation and globalisation. Sasha Abramsky’s article, Make America hate again, described how Donald Trump exploited the fears of millions of Americans in a prime example of ‘alt-right’ politics:
“This is truly the alt-right moment – the “alternative right” representing a populist, protectionist, racially tribalist counterpoint to the laissez-faire, small-government, plutocratic vision of more mainstream American conservatives – when white nationalism takes centre stage in US politics.”
White nationalism is an assertion of racial supremacy: many white Americans believed that they were superior to black people, as described earlier (4.3.2.3). Trump appointed Steve Bannon as his chief strategist at the start of his presidency to exploit such feelings. A Quartz article, What Steve Bannon really wants, listed Bannon’s values as “Capitalism, nationalism, and ‘Judeo-Christian values’”. Bannon was described as The alt-right Leninist who boasted that he was using Trump as “a blunt instrument for us”. He also promoted alt-right views across Europe[1] and helped with the campaign which led to Britain leaving the EU in a Brexit, as described later (6.6.5.8).
Trump’s slogan is “Make America great again”, and other alt-right leaders have similar nationalist sentiments. They support each other:
● President Vladimir Putin has shown Nationalist and Imperial Thinking: “driven by a sense of a historic mission to rectify perceived injustices and to regather lost Russian lands and Russian communities”. He has been accused of supporting like-minded leaders in Western countries: Russia co-opts far-right politicians in Europe with cash and Russia interfered to help Trump win election.
● Marine Le Pen is a French nationalist admirer of both Trump and Putin, as noted by The Guardian: Le Pen, Putin, Trump: a disturbing axis, or just a mutual admiration society? The article reminds readers that she has borrowed money from Russian banks and she supported Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
● Nigel Farage was a key alt-right influence in persuading the British people to leave the EU in a Brexit, and it is alleged that Russia influenced that decision. Politico has reported on Farage’s friendship with Trump, “a lasting alliance between two of the most recognizable and divisive figures in Western politics”, and Farage’s Reform UK party has adopted Trump’s anti-immigration stance and his anti-establishment arguments.
Religion is another aspect of cultural identity that can help people to feel secure, but which can also be exploited in pursuit of power:
● It plays a big part in American politics, having been associated with the Republican Party since 1979 when Jerry Falwell founded the Moral Majority, a conservative political lobbying movement.
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalism has polarised India: Once a fringe Indian ideology, Hindu nationalism is now mainstream, thanks to Modi’s decade in power.
● Islamic fundamentalism has led to acts of terrorism in many countries. Muslims are not normally permitted to attack people of other faiths, but the Quran does permit violence if the religion is attacked.[2] This exception has been used by ISIS and other terrorist groups in the Middle East to recruit fighters from all over the world, wherever Muslims feel oppressed (7.3.3).
This page is intended to form part of Edition 4 of the Patterns of Power series of books. An archived copy of it is held at https://www.patternsofpower.org/edition04/6246c.htm.
[1] The Sky News article, Steve Bannon arrest: Who is Donald Trump’s former top aide?, was published on 21 August 2020 and was available in March 2021 at https://news.sky.com/story/steve-bannon-arrest-who-is-donald-trumps-former-top-aide-12053332.
[2] Qur’an 2:190 reads: “Fight in the cause of Allah ˹only˺ against those who wage war against you, but do not exceed the limits. Allah does not like transgressors.”