Conference paper, New York State Political Science Association, Poughkeepsie, NY, April 2025 & Northeastern Political Science Association, Philadelphia, Nov. 2025

Ultra-nationalist social movements in America and abroad: an attempt to classify and categorize relevant terminology

This paper will aim to provide an overview in terminology relevant to the study and understanding of contemporary fascism and ultra-nationalist (right-wing) social movements. 

While the terminology of 'right wing extremism' - as for instance used in Europe in the 1990s - does seem to be insufficient to conceptually capture and describe current dynamics and developments as we are witnessing them in the US (and also in some European countries, such as Italy and Germany), this conference paper aims to identify all relevant terminology to adequately characterize and describe current ultra-nationalist and / or extremist fundamentalist (social and political) movements in the United States of America. 

Understanding profoundly and precisely, with what kind of forces we are dealing, should or will be the prerequisite to identify potential strategies to counter (some of) these neo-fascist, racist, sexist forces. 

This paper thus focuses on political theory and aims to provide a relevant or significant contribution to current debates and analyses in political science concerning polity and policy in contemporary US American politics. 

The author of this paper assumes and postulates that American politics in the so-called ‘Trumpist era' has increasingly been based and built on a so-called tri-partite coalition of:

a) Ultra-nationalists (fascistoid forces, supported by corporatist money / capital and corporate power);

b) Extremist religious fundamentalists (generally in all Abrahamic religions - with regard to the Trump administration, particularly among evangelical fundamentalists / nationalists);

c) Israeli nationalists and fundamentalists (denying the human rights of Palestinians).

In the 1930s, former Major General Smedley Butler warned US Congress of an attempt by a fascist movement within the United States, supporting Hitler's National Socialists in Germany, planning to overthrow the democratically elected government and to install a despotic regime. 

Are we in effect witnessing a second attempt, now under Donald J. Trump, and with Trump as willing helper to tech billionaire Elon Musk and possibly others? 

We might argue - this paper will argue and explore to which extent the three groups above differ from each other in terms of agenda and interests..

If we assume that this alliance -- seemingly hammered into existence by years of so-called Q, MAGA, Great Awakening propaganda - might not be as strong and viable as it seems, then the policy choices of this second Trump administration in form of executive orders since January 21, 2025 become seemingly clearer. 

1. The long fought for womens' rights as human rights are obviously sacrificed to please religious extremists / fundamentalists. 

2. The human rights of immigrants / migrants / refugees are apparently being violated to please white supremacists and ultra nationalist forces. 

3. The human rights of Palestinians are seemingly sacrificed to satisfy the ideology of fundamentalist Judaism and Israeli nationalists. 

Can this alliance be broken? 

To approach (and consecutively, ultimately answer) this question, a thorough review of all relevant terminology, both in their historic and newer contexts, is necessary.