Open AccessCultural Defeat of the Far Right in Modern America
Author(s) -
Alexander Daniel Lowie
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
new florida journal of anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2691-2260
pISSN - 2691-2252
DOI - 10.32473/nfja.v1i1.119393
Subject(s) - popularity , mythology , mainstream , presidential election , presidential system , ideology , politics , media studies , political science , sociology , political economy , law , literature , art
During the turbulent 2016 U.S. Presidential Election many far-right groups and personalities rose to prominence through alternative media sources, becoming outspoken voices in mainstream political discourse. Many were surprised by their growth in popularity and questioned how they developed their political beliefs, several of which seemed antithetical to “traditional” American values. In this paper, I will explore the origins of the numerous myths from which far-right voters base their ideology and I will attempt to connect them to the formation of political groups, such as the Proud Boys, as a result of Donald Trump’s campaign for the Presidential Election of 2016. I will also determine how internet platforms affect the cultivation and transmission of these foundational myths.