The New Right: A Brief Overview

The term "New Right" has been used to describe a variety of political movements and ideologies since the mid-20th century. In general, the New Right refers to a set of political ideas that are distinct from traditional conservatism and liberalism. The New Right is often characterized by its rejection of mainstream political parties and its emphasis on cultural and national identity.


Origins of the New Right

The New Right has its roots in the 1960s and 1970s, when it emerged as a reaction to the rise of the New Left. The New Left was a political movement that advocated for social and economic justice, as well as cultural change. The New Right rejected the New Left's emphasis on collectivism and its critique of traditional values.


Key Themes of the New Right

The New Right is a diverse movement with no single unified ideology. However, there are some common themes that can be identified. These themes include:

  • Nationalism: The New Right emphasizes the importance of national identity and sovereignty.
  • Traditionalism: The New Right seeks to preserve traditional values and institutions.
  • Conservatism: The New Right is generally opposed to social and economic change.
  • Anti-globalism: The New Right is critical of globalization and the erosion of national sovereignty.
  • Euroscepticism: The New Right is often skeptical of the European Union and its integrationist agenda.

The New Right in Different Countries

The New Right has different manifestations in different countries. In some countries, the New Right is a mainstream political force. In other countries, the New Right is a marginal movement.

  • France: The New Right in France is known as the Nouvelle Droite (ND). The ND was founded in 1968 by Alain de Benoist. The ND is a complex and multifaceted movement with a variety of factions and beliefs. However, there are some common themes that can be identified. These themes include nationalism, traditionalism, conservatism,anti-globalism, and Euroscepticism. The ND has had a significant impact on French politics. In the 1980s, the ND began to infiltrate mainstream political parties. In the 1990s, the ND helped to launch the National Rally party.Today, the National Rally is the leading right-wing party in France.

  • Germany: The New Right in Germany is known as the Neue Rechte (NR). The NR was founded in the 1960s. The NR is a complex and multifaceted movement with a variety of factions and beliefs. However, there are some common themes that can be identified. These themes include nationalism, traditionalism, conservatism, anti-globalism, and Euroscepticism. The NR has had a significant impact on German politics. In the 1990s, the NR helped to launch the Alternative for Germany party. Today, the Alternative for Germany is the leading right-wing party in Germany.

  • Italy: The New Right in Italy is known as the Nuova Destra. The Nuova Destra was founded in the 1990s. The Nuova Destra is a complex and multifaceted movement with a variety of factions and beliefs. However, there are some common themes that can be identified. These themes include nationalism, traditionalism, conservatism, anti-globalism, and Euroscepticism. The Nuova Destra has had a significant impact on Italian politics. In the 1990s, the Nuova Destra helped to launch the Lega Nord party. Today, the Lega Nord is a major political party in Italy.

  • United Kingdom: The New Right in the United Kingdom is associated with the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and other Eurosceptic parties. The UKIP was founded in 1997. The UKIP is a Eurosceptic party that advocates for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. The UKIP has had a significant impact on British politics. In the 2016 referendum on Brexit, the UKIP played a key role in campaigning for Leave.

  • United States: The New Right in the United States is associated with the alt-right and other nationalist movements.The alt-right is a loose collection of far-right groups that are known for their racist, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic views. The alt-right has had a significant impact on American politics. In the 2016 presidential election, the alt-right played a role in supporting Donald Trump's campaign.

Conclusion

The New Right is a complex and multifaceted movement. It is a force that is likely to continue to shape European and American politics in the years to come. The New Right is a diverse movement with no single unified ideology. However,there are some common themes that can be identified. These themes include nationalism, traditionalism, conservatism,anti-globalism, and Euroscepticism. The New Right has had a significant impact on European politics. In France and Germany, the New Right has been influential in shaping the policies of the National Rally and Alternative for Germany parties. The New Right is also present in other countries, such as Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.