The article discusses the growing influence of white nationalist ideas, rooted in Christian nationalism, on mainstream U.S. political debates and legislation. Sanford F. Schram emphasizes that the backlash against the first nonwhite president, Barack Obama, reflects a growing concern among white identity groups who feel threatened. This movement has historical ties to figures like Pat Buchanan, ultimately leading to the rise of the Tea Party and Donald Trump’s ascent, fueled by white resentment and immigration issues.
Christian nationalism, desiring a theocracy, has accelerated this trend, particularly through social media, facilitating echo chambers that amplify extremist views. Despite a decline in Christian identification among the population, those still identifying as Christians are increasingly feeling marginalized, leading to movements like MAGA that seek to reclaim cultural dominance.
Devin Burghart highlights the disturbing trend of far-right ideologies entering the mainstream, with significant representation in state legislatures. A report noted that 11.85% of state legislators were linked to fringe groups, promoting ideas that have transitioned from the fringes to public policy.
Matthew D. Taylor outlines the ideological cohesion among far-right movements, grounded in fears of losing social status to elites and multicultural societies. The article warns that the U.S. is part of a global trend of far-right populism eroding democracy, tying it to movements in countries like India and Turkey. It concludes that building a broad coalition committed to democracy is essential for countering these threats, emphasizing that protecting democracy is paramount over individual political disagreements.
