Making Sense of the Alt-Right

July 10, 2017
A scholarly analysis of a leaderless, largely online movement devoted to white nationalism is a tricky undertaking, but Hawley (Right-Wing Critics of American Conservatism), a political science professor, makes a game try in this slim volume. He acknowledges the challenge of understanding a vulgar, racist movement that “rejects... basic American values” and “indicates that a ‘postracial America’ is farther off than most people—liberal and conservative—have long hoped.” He provides a straightforward, plausible history of the “identitarian” antecedents to today’s amorphous “alt-right” phenomenon. Crucially, Hawley writes, the alt-right is not part of the traditional American conservative movement, which it views as its current main opponent, as establishment conservatives are too religious and ideologically inclusive and, once in office, they are too unwilling to fight for the policies they suggested to capitalize on white voter anxiety, such as curbing immigration or ending affirmative action. Hawley’s observation, while trying to grasp how the “alt-right” came to prominence, that “the organized conservative movement is at the nadir of its existence, despite the GOP’s electoral dominance,” is telling. So is his observation that Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign speech assailing the movement supplied oxygen to fan its flames and broaden its exposure. What comes next remains unclear, but Hawley’s survey represents a good early effort at understanding a strange time in American politics.

September 15, 2017

Hawley (political science, Univ. of Alabama) attempts to explain the ideology and appeal of the white nationalist movement referring to itself as the "alt-right" in American politics. A scholar of American conservatism, the author was caught by surprise by the "meteoric rise" of the groups supporting this movement and the energy it received from Donald Trump's presidential campaign. He explores the influence of white nationalist movements and traces the intellectual roots of such organizations found in the "paleo-conservative" writings of Paul Gottfried and others. In this regard, this book can be seen as a sequel to Hawley's Right-Wing Critics of American Conservatism, with much of its assessment revolving around the movement's attack on traditional conservatism, as well as on the religious right. Hawley asserts that the movement "rejects liberty and equality as ideals" and describes provocative tactics used by those such as Richard Spencer, Mike Cernovich, and Milo Yiannopoulos. He devotes an entire chapter to its role in the 2016 election and the support of the "alt-lite"--right-wing populists who do not fully embrace extremist positions. Hawley speculates that increasing online censorship of "alt-right" views could diminish its effectiveness in U.S. politics but does not see the movement fading in the near future. VERDICT An important contribution to contemporary political discourse that sheds light on a disturbingly influential group in American politics.--Thomas Karel, Franklin & Marshall Coll. Lib., Lancaster, PA

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