Far-Right Nativism: Its Geopolitical Effects and Its Future in North America and Europe - Newlines Institute
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INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING
Far-Right Nativism:
Its Geopolitical Effects and Its Future
in North America and Europe
January 2022
Far-Right Nativism:
Its Geopolitical Effects and Its Future in
North America and Europe
By Alejandro Beutel and Hikmet Karčić
Contents
Executive Summary ������������������������������������������������������ 3 Analyzing Nativist Actors in Continental and
Transatlantic Contexts������������������������������������������������ 18
Forecast����������������������������������������������������������������������������3
Nativism in a North American Continental Context
Introduction ������������������������������������������������������������������� 5 ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
Research Parameters���������������������������������������������������� 5 Nativism in a European Continental Context ��������� 21
Why Nativism?����������������������������������������������������������������5 Civil Society Organizations������������������������������������� 21
Defining Key Terms/Concepts��������������������������������������6 Street-Focused Groups������������������������������������������� 21
Selection Criteria: Choosing Countries to Analyze�� �� 7 Intellectually Oriented Groups������������������������������� 22
Faith-Based Organizations������������������������������������� 24
North American Country Case Studies������������������������ 7
Political Parties/Politicians������������������������������������� 25
Overview of Contemporary Nativism in the United
States��������������������������������������������������������������������������������7 Violent Actors����������������������������������������������������������� 26
Overview of Contemporary Nativism in Canada ��� 10 Transatlantic Connections: Overview����������������������� 27
North America to Europe: Institutional Activities��� 28
European Country Case Studies�������������������������������� 12
Europe to North America: Institutional Activities��� 30
Overview of Contemporary Nativism in Europe����� 12
North America to Europe: Individual Activities������� 30
Germany ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 12
Europe to North America: Individual Activities������� 31
United Kingdom����������������������������������������������������������� 14
Poland ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15 Forecast and Conclusion�������������������������������������������� 33
France ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16 Endnotes ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 38
Hungary������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17
Sweden ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
The views expressed in this intelligence briefing are those of the authors and
not reflective of an official policy or position of the New Lines Institute.
COVER: Sympathizers of the neo-Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement (Nordiska motstandsrorelsens) demonstrate in central
Stockholm in November 2016 to protest against migrants. (JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
2 January 2022
Executive Summary former President Donald that U.S. nativists lose access
Trump’s administration. to executive branch power, and
This report aims to provide subsequent policy influence,
a snapshot of far-right In Canada, nativist movements at national and international
nativist movements in North appear to be far less levels for at least the next four
America and Europe. Beyond institutionally robust and years. Three potential shifts may
comparing actors and their less influential in shaping result from this.
corresponding ideologies in mainstream public discourse
national and continent-wide and public policy influence. First, nascent real-world and
contexts, we shed further light However, several key narrative transatlantic links
on transatlantic links between figures who have had global between North American and
and among nativist actors. influence on the far right have European anti-immigrant actors
We also more broadly provide come from Canada. could either continue to grow
or return to being domestically
insights into cross-border
Nativism is on the rise in Europe, focused. If the former occurs,
cooperation and influence, along
playing a significant role in a likely significant cause is
with the factors constraining
politics in France, Germany, the role Hungary is playing
such activities, among various
and Sweden. In other cases, in fostering influence among
far-right actors trafficking in
such as in Hungary and Poland, far-right nativists in Europe
nativist discourse.
nativist rhetoric receives direct and the United States. If the
support not only from the latter happens, it will likely
For the purposes of analytic
political establishment but be because of the lack of
simplicity and clarity, we
also from the clergy. institutional vehicles that can
operationally define nativism as
maintain cross-border links
anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim While individuals, institutions, among anti-immigrant actors
hatred (the two types of animus and ultimately influence flow and such actors’ ideological
heavily overlap, but are not the in more than one direction, and operational tendency to
same thing). A wide range of our survey of North American confine themselves within
organizations and individuals and European actors suggests sovereign borders.
are involved in promoting certain trends. For example,
and sustaining nativist U.S. nativist actors play an Second, given their rapidly
ideologies and movements. outsized role both within declining national-level
North America and across the influence, U.S. far-right nativists
In the United States, although Atlantic, with U.S. individuals and will fight at a federal level to
they have attempted to be institutions exerting significant slow down or halt reversals
non-partisan, nativists have seen influence upon far-right activist of Trump-era immigration
the most success — in terms of scenes in Canada and Europe. policies. However, they will shift
acceptance of beliefs, rhetoric, Nevertheless, some Canadian much of their attention to local
and policy preferences — among and European nativists have and state advocacy.
politically conservative actors. exercised influence in U.S.
Anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant politics and activist milieus. Finally, key U.S. nativist
actors have steadily advanced actors have been increasingly
into the political mainstream, Forecast engaging in anti-immigrant,
reaching the peak of their anti-Afghan/anti-Muslim,
influence and access to President Joseph Biden’s victory and anti-China rhetoric. They
executive branch power during in the U.S. 2020 election means have been enabled by the
3 January 2022
global effects of COVID-19, the persuasively argued that Canada and the COVID-19 pandemic
upcoming midterm elections, has punched well above its has contributed to a growing
influxes of undocumented and weight class by being the country atmosphere of resurgent
asylum-seeking migrants at the of origin for several highly European nativism. Furthermore,
U.S.-Mexico border, refugees influential far-right individuals, transatlantic ties between
fleeing from the collapse of such as Lauren Southern, nativist actors will strengthen
the Afghan government, and Stefan Molyneux, and Gavin over the next couple of years.
geopolitical saber rattling McInnes, among others. From
between Washington and Beijing. this perspective, Canada has The mainstreaming of far-right
This has potentially negative exported far-right extremists to politics in European states
consequences, both domestically other parts of the world. creates a more permissive
(elevated risk of scapegoating socio-political environment for
and violence against immigrants, Hungary will continue to be a far-right political violence. In
Afghans, Muslims, and Asian key center of far-right influence some countries, such as Poland,
Americans) and internationally and activity. It, too, has punched Hungary, and other parts of
(nascent links expanding above its weight class, but Eastern Europe, state-enabled
between U.S. and Japanese differently from Canada. far-right historical revisionism
far-right actors who share Hungary’s social capital among on matters such as involvement
similar geopolitical interests far-right extremists is predicated in the Holocaust and World
regarding China). upon at least three factors. First, War II has furthered the
under Prime Minister Viktor mainstreaming of extremism.
Nativism will continue to Orban’s authoritarian hand, it The risk of violence in Europe
be an important ideological is often perceived as a “model” is further compounded by the
cornerstone and source of country where the movement’s phenomenon of far-right actors
political mobilization for far-right policy preferences have been traveling to participate in the
actors in the United States. successfully implemented. armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Although other issues appear to Second, it has been the host
Historical examples from other
have absorbed the lion’s share country to several conferences
conflict theaters like 1980s
of the U.S. far right’s attention attended by anti-immigrant,
Afghanistan and 1990s Bosnia
at the moment, this could easily anti-Muslim, and white nationalist
show that foreign fighters, with
change. Therefore, Muslims and extremists from around the
their training, networks, and
immigrants in the United States world. Third, it has engaged in a
combat experience, can organize
will continue to face a significant decade-long lobbying campaign
and enable or enact violence in
risk of violence from U.S. far-right in the United States to court
their countries of origin.
actors motivated in part by political and policy elites. While
nativist beliefs. this campaign has targeted both
Finally, Russia has been
sides of the U.S. political aisle,
providing support to far-right
In Canada, there will continue evidence suggests it has found
to be an active nativist milieu, actors in North America and
substantially greater success in
though it will have limited Europe for instrumental rather
courting members of the political
influence, largely due to the than ideological reasons.
right rather than members of
lack of a local institutional Given its track record of
the political left.
infrastructure robust enough success, we expect that
to sustain a far-right political The weakening of the EU this kind of support, within a
movement in an otherwise because of the political effects broader spectrum of influence
left-leaning national electorate. of the 2015 mass influx of operations, will continue for the
That said, it can also be migrants entering Europe, Brexit, foreseeable future.
4 January 2022
Introduction
U
ntil perhaps the mid-2010s,
most geopolitical and security
analysts would have generally
regarded far-right movements as
politically peripheral. However, that
view has changed, and now many
observers believe such actors will
be influential for the foreseeable
future. Although hardly monolithic,
many far-right movements and
actors hold nativist sentiments and
ideological beliefs. Such nativism
is often an important meeting
point for otherwise disparate and
often internally fractious elements
of the far right.1
In 2012, Cas Mudde, a frequently
cited expert on far-right extremism,
published a landmark study
comparing nativism in North
American and European contexts.2
Since then, there have been
few policy-relevant publications About a hundred people participate on the March Against Sharia organized by
undertaking a similar comparison. ACT for America at Foley Square in New York City as part of similar events in
In this report, we pick up where cities across the nation in June 2017. (ERIK MCGREGOR / Getty Images)
Mudde’s study left off. Our aim here
is to provide a snapshot of nativist
landscapes in North America and typology, and provide a brief geopolitical impact of far-right
Europe, as well as be illustrative and overview of nativist actors and movements in United States and
analytical rather than exhaustively politics in select North American Europe. Mudde argued in 2019 that
descriptive. Beyond undertaking a
and European states. Second, we despite all of the public discussion
much-needed update by comparing
compare the dynamics of nativist about populism, the far-right
actors and their corresponding
political behaviors within regions political surge in Europe was driven
ideologies in national and
and between regions. Finally, we by nativism, flatly stating, “While
continent-wide regional contexts,
offer tentative thoughts on the populism is a crucial part of the
we expand our focus to illuminate
nativist actors’ transatlantic links. trajectories of nativist actors over story, the real king is nationalism,
We also more broadly give insights the next several years. or better put nativism, and he is
into cross-border cooperation here to stay.”3 Similarly, David Art, a
and influence among various Research Parameters political science professor at Tufts
far-right actors trafficking in University, provocatively argued
nativist discourse, as well as the Why Nativism? that, “Nativism — not populism — is
constraints on such actions. the defining feature of both radical
First, why are we discussing right parties in Western Europe and
First we define key terms and nativism? This publication is part of radical right politicians … in the
concepts, outline our actor of a larger project examining the United States.”4
5 January 2022
Defining Key Terms/Concepts “other,” nativism transforms
that hatred/fear into a broader
Whenever we mention the term philosophy (and sometimes
“nativism” or “nativists,” we are political movement) to (re)define
specifically referring to far-right who are “authentic” members of a
nativism/nativists. One of the nation and who are not.
most widely cited definitions of
the term is by U.S. historian John Here, it is important to clarify
Higham, who states, “Nativism, that our definition of nativism
therefore, should be defined as does not include actors who
intense opposition to an internal may simply advocate for stricter
minority on the ground of its foreign border controls or generally tighter
(i.e., ‘un-American’) connections.”5 immigration policies. After all,
However, this definition appears establishing legal border entry
to be U.S.-centric in its origins and parameters is fundamental to a
also appears to be indistinguishable state’s security, sovereignty, and
from the similar but distinct overall national interest.8 (Still,
concept of xenophobia — a fear or simply invoking border security
hatred of anything that is perceived or state sovereignty does not
to be strange or foreign. automatically shield an actor from
charges of nativism, especially if A member of the far-right group
Instead, we adopt another scholarly other evidence is identified that “Proud Boys” marches during the “End
definition, which states, “Nativism then warrants applying the label.) Domestic Terrorism” rally in Portland,
emphasizes a difference between Oregon, in 2019. (JOHN RUDOFF / AFP
via Getty Images)
natives and non-natives in In more operational terms,
societies, placing increasing value current nativist attitudes and
on the self-appointed [socially- political behaviors are composed “Islamophobia.” Here we define
constructed] ‘native’ population. It of anxieties or hostility toward anti-Muslim hate and its cognate
is characterized by an ‘us’ versus immigrants and Muslims. Although labels as a set of attitudes and
‘them’ cleavage, in which ‘them’ the two categories of people should behaviors that define, and then
are threatening immigrant groups not be automatically considered dehumanize or demonize, Muslims
or ‘outsider’ ethnic communities. synonymous, we include Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim
As a form of prejudice, nativism in this operational understanding of (e.g., religiously observant Sikhs),
makes a distinction based on nativism because anti-immigrant casting them as an “other,”
origin and strongly values national and anti-Muslim views and and the processes that inform
identification.”6 Historian and movements have become and give expression to those
political scientist Aitana Guia points increasingly intertwined, especially attitudes and behaviors.11
out that while nativism necessarily after 9/11. Moreover, this fits
implies xenophobia, the two are not into a conceptual understanding Finally we adopt Mudde’s
synonymous. Consistent with our of nativism, like the one above, operational definition of “far-right,”
adopted definition, Guia points out, because even Muslims born in which is described as actors on
“Nativism turns xenophobia into North American9 and European10 the right end of the conventional
a particular way of re-defining the states are nevertheless frequently left-right political spectrum “who
‘nation’ in the face of a constructed constructed as part of an out-group are ‘anti-system,’ defined here as
fundamental threat.”7 in “us” versus “them” discourses. hostile to liberal democracy.”12
Mudde goes on to divide the far
In other words, whereas This publication uses “anti-Muslim right into two broader sub-groups.
xenophobia is hatred/fear of the hate,” “anti-Muslim prejudice,” The first is the extreme right, which
racial/religious/ethnic/sexual and similar terms rather than “rejects the essence of democracy,
6 January 2022
that is, popular sovereignty and public policy and social North American Country
majority rule.”13 The second is the issues that the general public Case Studies
radical right, which “accepts the considers acceptable – on
essence of democracy, but opposes Islam and immigration has Overview of Contemporary
fundamental elements of liberal shifted steadily since 2000. Nativism in the United States
democracy, most notably minority While recognizing that each
rights, rule of law, and separation country has a much longer The United
of powers.”14 Both sub-categories history with nativism, we focus States has a long
of the far right oppose liberal on contemporary discourse history of
democracy, albeit in different ways: in the context of countries organized
The radical right trusts popular nativism that
that from 2000 onward were
sovereignty, as manifested in stretches back as
seen by political observers as
electoral processes, while the far as the late
“consolidated” democracies, or
extreme right completely rejects it. 1600s, during its
in a steady trajectory toward
democratic consolidation.16 colonial era.18 Its most
We are not concerned with contemporary organized iteration
those otherwise identified as Each of these countries’ national
can be traced to the late 1970s and
libertarians or right-of-center conversations has steadily
early 1980s, when a coterie of key
conservatives. In practice, this seen a mainstreaming of anti-
social movement groups espousing
distinction can become somewhat Muslim and/or anti-immigrant
nativist rhetoric and policy
difficult, especially in some rhetoric during this time.17 preferences were founded by the
countries where far-right ideas 2. They are host to strong far- late white nationalist John Tanton
and policies are increasingly right political parties that (the “Tanton network”).19
embedded in mainstream have enjoyed substantial Considered by observers to be key
discourse.15 To address this electoral success. components of the “anti-immigrant”
challenge, where possible, we cite movement, these organizations
examples of actors who identify 3. They are locations where
were at first mostly focused on
as conservative or otherwise on substantial non-state violence
opposing immigration from Mexico
the right end of the conventional motivated by far-right and other Latin American nation-
left-right political spectrum but ideologies against Muslims and states.20 In the past 20 years,
reject the nativist beliefs that are immigrants has occurred. organized nativism grew to include
central to our analysis. 4. These states have highly other actors outside the Tanton
restrictive governmental network, and the movement
Selection Criteria: Choosing measures on immigration and/ expanded its issue area to
Countries to Analyze or the practice of Islam, and/or include Muslims and most
have strong far-right electoral recently immigrants from Black-
Our report focuses on national, majority countries in Africa and
actors who have attempted,
regional, and transatlantic nativist the Caribbean.21
successfully or not, to enact
trends in seven North American
or preserve highly restrictive
and European countries: the United Anti-Muslim sentiment also has
States, Canada, Germany, the measures through legislative a lengthy history in the United
United Kingdom, Poland, France, and/or executive policy means. States that goes back to the
Hungary, and Sweden. In addition This can include far-right actors colonial era,22 but its beginnings
to their geographic diversity, who may not have enough as an organized movement can
these locations were chosen legislative seats to directly pass be traced back to the mid-1990s.23
for four reasons: a bill but can work in coalitions Anti-Muslim activism did not
with and/or put pressure on grow and coalesce into a distinct
1. The “Overton Window” – the other actors who may have organized movement until after the
spectrum of ideas regarding the power to do so. Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
7 January 2022
The physical devastation and vigilante patrols of the U.S.-Mexico
mass psychological impact of the border,34 armed protests outside
attacks created deep-seated fears of mosques,35 and harassment
about terrorism that not only led of immigrants36 and Muslims in
to the enactment of far-reaching local communities.37 In some of
counterterrorism legislation and the most extreme cases, they also
policies primarily directed at include violent hate crimes38 and
Muslims24 but also provided a ideologically motivated attacks
fertile social climate that far-right against perceived enemies.39
actors exploited for political and
financial gain.25 In addition to what we would
identify as “core” movement
One of these groups, ACT for actors centrally organized around
America (originally established anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim
as American Congress for Truth), beliefs, there are other far-right
was established in 200226 and actors, peripheral to dedicated
quickly grew to be the largest nativists, who are mobilized around
formal U.S. organization dedicated other ideologies but nevertheless
hold strong xenophobic attitudes.
to propagating anti-Muslim views,
Notable examples include Christian
claiming hundreds of thousands
nationalists,40 white supremacists,
of members and tens of local
anti-government extremists, and
chapters across the country.
the crypto-fascist Proud Boys.
Other organizations such as
(Anti-government extremists
the Center for Security Policy, Brigitte Gabriel, founder and president
of ACT for America, speaks at the 2017 include a sub-movement called
a hawkish foreign affairs think
Values Voter Summit in Washington, the Three Percenters, which prior
tank, pivoted from traditional Cold New Lines Institute research has
D.C., in October 2017. (CHERISS MAY /
War and post-Cold War security Getty Images) identified as strongly tied to a
issues to explicitly promoting spectrum of anti-Muslim activities
anti-Muslim discourse and ranging from armed protests
conspiracy narratives.27 Anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim outside of Islamic faith-based
organizational actors engage institutions to planned terrorist
There has been significant cross- in a range of activities. Some attacks against heavily Muslim
pollination between anti-immigrant social movement organizations residential areas.)41 Like actors
and anti-Muslim movements, are policy advocacy groups principally organized around
with key social organizations in and think tanks that present nativism, these peripheral actors
both movements incorporating respectable and sanitized images are represented by a wide range
new issues into their operations. of their nativist sentiments. They of organizational structures
For example, high-profile frequently produce publications and activities. But for them,
anti-immigrant organizations of questionable rigor and quality,31 anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim
have published works that cast engage media outlets to publicize beliefs are a secondary – albeit
aspersions on Muslim immigrants28 their views,32 and meet with important – motive underwriting
and invited individuals expressing elected officials to enact policy and their political mobilization.42
anti-Muslim prejudice to speak legislative changes.33 However, Like “core” nativists, several of
at their policy events.29 In there are other groups and social these ideologically adjacent
2018, ACT for America added movement actors unaffiliated with actors appear to have also
opposition to “illegal immigration” a particular group who engage in been involved in politically
and “sanctuary cities” to its more extreme activities. These motivated violence targeting
core activities.30 activities include conducting armed Muslims and immigrants.43
8 January 2022
“ zenith
In terms of policy impact, nativists appear to have reached the
of their influence during the Trump administration. That
administration engaged core nativist groups on multiple occasions. ”
Despite their extreme views and has resulted in the formation of former White House speechwriter
attempts to politically position dissenting entities52 attempting to Stephen Miller, who has been
themselves in a non-partisan reclaim the mantle of conservatism. identified as the main architect
manner44 anti-Muslim and In other cases, certain actors have of the Trump administration’s
anti-immigrant actors have made a complete about-face and most hard-line policies impacting
steadily made inroads into the openly embraced nativist rhetoric immigrants and Muslims (e.g.,
political mainstream. Insofar as and movement figures they “The Wall” and “Muslim Ban”) and
organized actors are concerned, once criticized.53 who allegedly has ties to white
it appears nativist discourse nationalists58 recently formed an
thus far has enjoyed its greatest In terms of policy impact, nativists organization called the America
acceptance among politically appear to have reached the First Legal Foundation. Among
conservative actors.45 zenith of their influence during other things, the foundation has
the Trump administration. That criticized Biden administration
At the moment, it is no longer administration engaged core officials for taking steps to undo
uncommon to see statements nativist groups on multiple immigration enforcement and
and policy platforms among occasions,54 had several individuals border security policies enacted
more mainstream right-wing from these organizations serve under the Trump administration.59
actors include language directly as officials in government Another example is Mark
associated with far-right nativism.46 agencies,55 and enacted several Morgan, former acting director
In some more extreme cases, this of the policy recommendations of Immigration and Customs
includes hard-line legislators openly from these entities. They include Enforcement under the Trump
espousing rhetoric commonly the suspension and restriction of administration.60 Morgan joined
identified with white nationalism, immigrants, refugees, and travelers the Federation for American
such as the “Great Replacement” from predominantly Muslim- Immigration Reform, a core Tanton
conspiracy narrative.47 This gradual majority countries (“Muslim Ban”); network organization, shortly after
entry into mainstream right-wing attempts to expand the physical leaving federal service.61
intellectual, media, policy, and barrier infrastructure separating the
political circles did not come U.S.-Mexico land border (“building Trump himself has been
without significant resistance from ‘The Wall’”); and decreasing overall enormously influential upon
many high-profile conservatives48 levels of legal immigration into the far-right actors in the United States.
over the course of several decades. United States through a variety Again, while the steady and strong
However, in recent years, many of of restrictive executive branch hard-line shift in right-wing politics
these voices have been pushed policy measures.56 cannot be reduced to Trump’s
to the periphery of U.S. right-wing influence alone, his candidacy
politics.49 This was enabled by a With the departure of the Trump and later presidency did enable
steady and broader realignment administration, some of the same and accelerate the permeation
of the political right in U.S. politics people who sought to enact the of far-right ideas — including
also spanning several decades above-mentioned restrictive nativism — within mainstream
across multiple policy issues50 but policies and legislation are working conservatism.62 Moreover, whether
accelerated by the candidacy and to block any immigration policy it was Trump’s intention or not,
presidency of Donald Trump.51 changes sought by the Biden his rhetoric also frequently served
Currently, among other things, this administration.57 For example, as inspiration and justification
9 January 2022
for far-right radicalization, armed Overview of Contemporary policy advocacy organization
mobilization, and violence during Nativism in Canada that began in 2002 and initially
his presidency.63 At its most focused on anti-Muslim politics and
extreme, this includes associations Compared to the policies77 but later expanded into
with terrorist attacks such as the United States, anti-immigrant-linked activities.78
2019 El Paso mass shooting64 as Canada’s nativist Like its U.S. namesake, ACT
well as hate crimes against various movement for Canada has more recently
ethnic and racial minorities.65 appears to be expanded into anti-immigrant
less institutionally discourse, as well as broader
Individuals with otherwise robust and far-right rhetoric about the “deep
politically liberal views exist concomitantly state” and the United Nations
within the organized nativist less influential in shaping public engaging in a conspiracy to subvert
movement. However, previous discourse and public policy. Canadian sovereignty.79
attempts to inject anti-immigrant Canada’s most organizationally
positions into otherwise liberal- sophisticated and prominent71 The Soldiers of Odin (SOO, also
favored causes have failed.66 immigrant restrictionist sometimes called “Sons of Odin”
Anti-Muslim attitudes appear to organization was the now-defunct in Canada) are an anti-immigrant
have made comparatively greater Centre for Immigration Policy and anti-Muslim organization
Reform (CIPR), founded in 2010.72 started in late 2015 in Finland by
inroads among politically liberal
However, the last evidence of former neo-Nazi Mika Ranta in
constituencies, in part because
organizational activity we identified response to the influx of Syrian
far-right actors have consistently
was in 2015.73 CIPR appears to and Iraqi refugees entering Europe
attempted to co-opt the language
have functioned in practice as both that year.80 Although claiming to
of feminism, LGBTQ+ causes,
a think tank and a policy advocacy reject racism and other forms of
and combating anti-Semitism for
organization.74 CIPR’s justifications bigotry, information gleaned from
anti-Muslim ends.67 for lower immigration levels closely the group’s social media posts,
parallel those made by Tanton behavior from those claiming to
That said, while anti-Muslim
network organizations. The be its supporters, and founder
sentiment has had substantial
arguments include preservation of Ranta’s white supremacist past
support across the political “culture,” the environment, and belied these claims.81 SOO chapters
spectrum – albeit to varying demographics — the latter began to appear across Canada in
degrees – since 9/11, beginning containing particularly strong racial 2016.82 However, by 2017, several
in 2015 there was a shift in U.S. undertones. We found only one local Canadian chapters officially
public attitudes toward Muslims. currently active anti-immigration- disavowed and disassociated
Whereas negative opinions focused entity: Immigration Watch themselves from their European
of Muslims were shared in Canada (IWC).75 IWC is best counterparts after the latter’s ties to
significant numbers across the described as a website, founded by white supremacy and bigotry were
political spectrum, polling suggests unidentified individuals based in made public.83 The decision was
majorities of Democrats and Vancouver, British Columbia, not unanimous, and several other
independents hold favorable views espousing heavily anti-immigrant local chapters decided to remain
of Muslims, while Republicans and staunchly restrictionist views.76 publicly associated with European
do not.68 However, this general affiliates.84 Regardless, the group’s
finding comes with an important The closest approximation to various factions are widely
caveat: Experts suggest that the organizations directly engaged associated with nativist sentiment
shift in views is largely mediated in real-world (rather than online) and deeply embedded within the
by partisanship and polarization anti-immigrant activities are ACT wider Canadian far-right context.
associated with Trump’s rhetoric69 for Canada and the Soldiers of Supporters of Canada’s SOO
and proposed policies — Odin. The former is a Canadian groups have engaged in a range of
particularly the “Muslim Ban.”70 spin-off of ACT for America, a street activities, such as protesting
10 January 2022particularly in Quebec province.92 groups,103 individuals espousing
Canadian However, due to infighting, the nativist views have been censured
Three Percenters group appears to have been in or expelled from the party. While
decline since 2019.93 arguably suboptimal for some
The Canadian Three Percenters observers,104 a non-nativist cordon
are northern counterparts to The relative organizational
sanitaire within the Conservative
a U.S.-origin militia extremist weakness of the Canadian “core”
Party appears to be functioning,
sub-movement that goes by nativist movement is bolstered
the same name. Like their U.S. somewhat by other far-right at least for now.
associates, Three Percenters are organizational actors for whom
particularly notable for their nativism is a secondary, albeit Moreover, Canada lacks a politically
firearms training and often important, political motive. This influential figurehead similar to
show up to political assemblies includes extreme Quebecois ethno- Trump. The closest example
with weapons. While their nationalists94 white nationalists/ was former Conservative Party
core ideology is fundamentally supremacists,95 anti-government member and cabinet minister
anti-government, like their extremists, and the Proud Boys.96 Maxime Bernier, who left the party
U.S. counterparts, much of the They also include cyber-based in 2018 to form the People’s Party
Canadian Three Percenters’ media outlets like Rebel Media and of Canada.105 However, in addition
high-profile activities include The Post Millennial, which both to internal resistance from the
surveilling mosques and regularly promote far-right nativist Conservative Party, Bernier also
engaging in explicit anti-Muslim talking points and have significant
rhetoric under the guise of faced an uphill battle to garner
online followings in Canada and the
raising public concerns about support for his locally tailored brand
United States.97 (Gavin McInnes,
terrorism. of far-rightist politics in a largely
founder of the aforementioned
Proud Boys, was a former left-leaning national electorate.106
Source: VICE News
contributor to Rebel Media.)98 At The People’s Party of Canada
their most extreme, peripherally platform and rhetoric were based
outside of85 and baiting mosque nativist actors have been directly on a mix of far-right populism
congregations;86 joining wider associated with acts of attempted and nativism. Bernier’s brand of
far-right opposition87 to COVID or successful ideologically politics and policy preferences
19-related public health measures;88 motivated violence,99 such as the was effectively repudiated at the
and engaging in street brawls far-right 2017 Quebec City terrorist ballot box in 2019 and 2021, where
with anti-racist and anti-fascist attack against a local Muslim consequences included him losing
counterprotesters.89 congregation.100 Neo-Nazi Canadian the parliamentary seat he had
military deserter Patrik Mathews held since 2006.107
Another group actor is La Meute was involved in a 2020 terrorist plot
(“Wolf Pack”), which was founded in Richmond, Virginia.101 Finally, recent violence associated
in 2015 by two ex-members of with some groups appears to have
the Canadian military.90 Like SOO, These activities notwithstanding,
negatively affected them, at least
La Meute holds anti-Muslim and Canadian nativist actors —
superficially. Nearly three months
anti-immigrant views. While its ideologically core or peripheral — do
not appear to enjoy the same level after the Canadian government
members have claimed to reject
of mainstream political and policy designated the Proud Boys a
sexism and racism, defectors
from the organization and experts influence their U.S. cohorts seem terrorist entity — due in large
cast doubt on this claim.91 La to have. For example, although part to members’ involvement in
Meute’s activities appear to be some figures from the Conservative the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at
mainly focused on recruiting Party have previously made the U.S. Capitol complex108 — its
from and mobilizing members of nativist statements102 and/or had Canadian branch announced it
Canada’s francophone community, prior connections to anti-Muslim was shutting down.109
11 January 2022European Country Germany emerged as the strongest party
in the eastern states of Saxony
Case Studies Germany, with and Thuringia.115 Its parliamentary
the Holocaust as influence is likely to be constrained
Overview of Contemporary part of its history, now as the fifth-largest party in
Nativism in Europe is an the Bundestag, as well as “the fact
indispensable that no one wants to partner with
Europe’s long history of nativist case study. With them, [meaning] they’ll play no
politics goes back to the the fall of the role whatsoever in the upcoming
establishment of “historical Eastern Bloc and coalition negotiations.”116
nations.”110 The contemporary the reunification of Germany,
nativism as a sort of rebirth of several factors including economic Yet results from the 2017 and 2021
crisis, immigration, and xenophobia national parliamentary elections
nation-states can be traced
led to the normalization of nativist show that nativist ideologies have
back to as early as the politics. Parties and movements
de-colonization period become more influential. The
positioning themselves as populist
AfD’s rise in popularity is mainly
after World War II that and expressing far-right beliefs can
due to its ability to draw support
facilitated immigration from also be considered nativist, since
from the steady anti-Muslim and
former colonial states to Europe. they largely object to
anti-immigrant public climate in
The subsequent influx of immigration and Islam.112
Germany — itself largely a result
immigrants during this period of the influx of refugees and
Significant far-right movements
gave far-right movements an are the white nationalist Identitäre immigrants welcomed during
issue to mobilize around and Bewegung (Identitarian Movement) the tenure of former Chancellor
thus regain support after and the anti-government- Angela Merkel. This led Germans
being tarnished from being oriented, violence-prone to vote for a far-right political
ideologically associated with Reichsbürgerbewegung (Reich party in significant numbers
fascist Germany years earlier. Citizens’ Movement), which is for the first time since the end
roughly akin to America’s Sovereign of World War II.117
Nativism was given another boost Citizen movement.113
Outside of electoral politics,
in the years immediately preceding
There are also several far-right one of the most publicly visible
and following the parties in Germany. Perhaps movements from this category
end of the Cold War.111 This the two most well-known at the was Patriotic Europeans Against
included the political and economic moment are the Alternative für the Islamisation of the Occident
transition of post-communist Deutschland (AfD), and the more (PEGIDA), formed in October 2014,
countries, the Yugoslav extreme National Democratic Party which managed to quickly gain
wars, the expansion of the of Germany (Nationdemokratische popular support by organizing
European Union, the Partei Deutschland). Of the two, regular demonstrations in the city
the AfD has enjoyed considerably of Dresden.118 Although shortly
expansion of foreign influences
more electoral success, becoming after its founding the organization
in Europe, and the Ukrainian
the largest opposition party in quickly grew to establish chapters
conflict. For the aim of presenting the German national parliament in other countries, they were
a diverse image of nativism in (Bundestag) from 2017 to 2021.114 short-lived. PEGIDA’s physical
Europe, this report will explore However, it lost its main opposition presence is largely centered in
the following short country status after the Sept. 26, 2021, Dresden, though it has a smaller
case studies: Germany, the national parliamentary elections. presence in a handful of other
United Kingdom, Poland, France, Despite the decline, it still received cities and municipalities.119 PEGIDA
Hungary, and Sweden. 10.3% of the national vote and reached a record number of
12 January 2022■ Two bombings, multiple bank
robberies, and the killing of 10
people, mostly of immigrant
backgrounds, by the three-person
neo-Nazi terrorist cell called the
National Socialist Underground
from 2000 to 2007.127
■ The 2009 anti-Muslim-motivated
killing of Marwa El-Sherbini by an
open supporter of the far-right
National Democratic Party.128
■ The non-fatal stabbing of
Henriette Reker, a pro-immigration/
refugee candidate running for
mayor of Cologne, by a far-right
extremist in 2015. Reker was
stabbed in the neck, survived
the attack, and was elected
mayor the next day.129
■ The 2016 mass shooting at a
shopping mall in Munich, which
killed nine people and wounded
36 and which was motivated
significantly by far-right beliefs
and largely targeted customers
of immigrant backgrounds.130 The
© 2022, New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy incident was committed on the fifth
anniversary of Norwegian far-right
25,000 protesters in Dresden in these threats are mobilized more extremist Anders Breivik’s 2011
the days after the Charlie Hebdo so by anti-government beliefs than terrorist attacks.
terrorist attack in 2015, although by racism per se, such as the Reich ■ The 2019 assassination of
its popularity appears to have Citizens’ Movement123 and far-right politician Walter Lübcke,131 who
dropped significantly since then.120 survivalists/preppers124 — although defended immigration policies,
Nevertheless, PEGIDA appears to by two neo-Nazis.
some of these actors also hold
maintain a significant audience white supremacist views.125 One of ■ The 2019 Halle terror attack,
online both in Germany and around the earliest contemporary examples which targeted a Jewish
the world121 and commemorated congregation praying at a local
of far-right violence in Germany
the seventh anniversary of its synagogue, passersby, and
was the 1980 Oktoberfest bombing
founding with a rally attended by individuals at a nearby kebab
in Munich, which killed 13 and restaurant. The attack was inspired
about 1,000 people in Dresden
wounded over 200 others.126 There in part by Breivik.132
on Oct. 17, 2021.122
have been multiple recent incidents
■ The February 2020 Hanau far-
Beyond social movements and of such violence, several of which right motivated terrorist shooting
electoral politics, Germany has targeted immigrants, Muslims, and spree, which killed nine people
also had to contend with the policy those perceived to be supporting and wounded five others. The
challenge of far-right political them. These incidents include, but targets were patrons at two hookah
violence and terrorism. Some of are not limited to: bars in the city.133
13 January 2022United Kingdom British politics. Although nativism in the U.K. are the English Defence
was not the only factor that drove League, Generation Identity, Blood
As the numbers Brexit – other issues were at play and Honour, and National Action.142
of immigrants – it was a significant undertone Blood and Honour is a transnational
arriving in the to the campaign to leave the EU. neo-Nazi organization banned in
U.K. from former At its most extreme, this nativism several countries but currently legal
colony states violently manifested itself with in the U.K., while National Action
grew after World the killing of politician Jo Cox (a is legally banned in the U.K. due
War II, so did left-wing, pro-immigration member to its extremism and history of
racist and of parliament), whose neo-Nazi violence.143 Another illustration of
xenophobic reactions, dramatically killer, Thomas Mair, shouted “Britain the threat of far-right extremism is
manifested by British fascist Enoch First” as he stabbed her.138
the record-high number of far-right
Powell’s 1968 “Rivers of Blood”
perpetrators imprisoned.144 Not all
speech — leading to legislation that It terms of electoral politics,
far-right nationalist parties explicitly of these arrests were made as a
“effectively racialized the basis of
the immigration system.”134 These espousing nativist beliefs, such result of violence; many were made
reactionary attitudes later spun off as the British National Party and for membership of a proscribed
a mutated form of prejudice, the U.K. Independence Party, have organization. Violence is on the rise,
anti-Muslim hate, largely triggered been in decline since at least however; between 2017 and 2020,
by the “Rushdie Affair” in the late 2010-2015.139 The largest such almost 30% of prevented attacks145
1980s, in which Islam/Muslims remaining party, the Brexit Party were from the far right.
were portrayed as incompatible headed by populist Nigel Farage,
with free speech and remains a loud but marginal Although nativism and
liberal social values.135 voice. This decline in support for euroskepticism were substantial
the parties seen as traditionally factors associated with Brexit,
While initial tensions and right-wing is likely, in part, because British authorities have since
controversies around the “Rushdie the Conservative party has “largely taken a tough stand on far-right
Affair” eventually decreased, issues co-opted much of the ideological extremists.146 This includes
of immigration and anti-Muslim space within Great Britain that had the increased focus of security
prejudice continued to simmer and been the home of the right-wing agencies on monitoring and
increase again slowly as an issue extremist parties.”140 However, this preventing far-right extremist
for many voters over the course has also pushed the Conservative threats as well as the banning
of two decades.136 This trend Party as a whole further to the right. and arrest of leading members
coincided with another important of far-right extremist groups.147
change: In the last three decades, Meanwhile, the main center-left However, the socio-political
the U.K.’s main terrorism threat party, Labour, had also shown
environment associated with
shifted from Irish Republican signs of shifting rightward on
Brexit and COVID-19 appears to
Army-related attacks to incidents of immigration following its lack of
be providing further opportunities
violence committed by extremists electoral success in the early to
for far-right recruitment and
acting in the name of Islam.137 As mid-2010s.141 So while far-right
mobilization.148 The tabloid media
a result, questions about Muslim political parties appear to be
integration became a prominent largely on the decline, their ideas in the U.K. is hugely influential
issue of public discussion. appear to have gained substantial on public opinion, and its fixation
mainstream currency and support, on anti-immigrant stories and
In the run up to and in the including among the country’s virulent nationalism is helping
years following the 2016 Brexit largest electoral parties. to ensure a disproportionate
referendum and the 2019 general presence of nativist narratives
elections, nativist ideologies Outside of political parties, some of and voices within the U.K.’s socio-
became more visible in mainstream the most prominent far-right actors political discourse. 149
14 January 2022Poland
Historical Revisionism in Europe
Since the fall of
communism, Europe has a long history of half a century of Communist rule,
Poland has had a violence against the “other.” The wherein a state ideological version
ideas of “right to land” and of of history was promoted, the
rebirth of both
“historical nations” are often democratization of these countries
religion and
closely associated with organized brought the revival of national
nationalism. With
violence and expulsions. Although and religious identity. In many
Poland caught
the historical and contemporary cases, local nationalist leaders
between its
contexts associated with far-right who were also Nazi collaborators,
historical enemies – Russia and
nativism frequently differ by mainly condemned by the
Germany – Polish politics has in
country, commonalities can post-war Communist regime, are
recent years taken a religious
nevertheless be identified. being rehabilitated by the new
nationalist-informed approach to
democratic national governments.
nativism.150 The Catholic Church The nostalgia for and glorification Poland enacted a law criminalizing
has a large influence in areas such of historical events is used in any mention of Polish involvement
as politics, state spending, and contemporary nativist political in the Holocaust. On the other
education. Poland is currently ruled narratives. For example, the hand, in Hungary, historical
by the conservative and right-wing 1683 Battle of Vienna, when the revisionism and Holocaust
populist Law and Justice party.151 Ottoman Empire was defeated denial can be considered part
Results from the October 2019 near Vienna, is often referred to of the government’s strategy in
national elections brought the when speaking of immigrants, rewriting history. In both cases,
far-right Confederation Liberty and Islam or even Turkey’s EU the national victimhood in
Independence party into membership. Nativist rhetoric World War II is a key part of the
parliament. The party holds 11 argues that Islam was once country’s identity, while Jewish
seats in the Polish Parliament defeated in Europe while now it victims and Hungarian and Polish
(Sejm), skewing the political silently occupies the continent. collaborators are ignored
majority heavily to the right.152 The fall of communism, terrorist or minimized.
attacks, and migrant and economic
In this political setting, the Polish crises have given rise to more Nostalgia for the “glorious” past,
Constitutional Court banned anti-Muslim bigotry, and this kind going however far back in history,
abortions in 2020, sparking of rhetoric has become seems to be a common dominator
nationwide protests. In addition, more attractive. in all cases. Identical cases can
the government has recently be found in other countries
As in a majority of former
cracked down on LGBTQ+ rights.153 throughout Eastern Europe. The
communist countries in Europe,
Most recently, the ruling party rehabilitation of Nazi collaborators
Poland and Hungary are deeply
has come into sharp conflict with through public events is an
involved in historical revisionism attractive asset for far-right parties
the EU due to its direct assault
regarding World War II. After and movements.
on the independence of the
Polish judiciary. In addition, other Sources: Aitana Guia (Max Weber Program for Postdoctoral Studies),
mainstream political actors who The Guardian, BBC News, Politico, Time, Tablet Magazine, Al Jazeera
take up nativist rhetoric have gained
anti-Muslim hate, homophobia, and is widely present in Poland and
popular support in local elections,
historical revisionism. The rise of other Eastern European countries
which has led to a “normalization of
far-right politics.”154 historical revisionism, the wholesale — a cause and consequence of
re-interpretation and rewriting of resurgent far-right activity. One of
In recent years, there has been otherwise established historical the most visible consequences of
an increase in public and political accounts of significant events (e.g., this revisionism is the outlawing of
rhetoric espousing anti-Semitism, involvement in the Holocaust), discussion of Polish involvement
15 January 2022in the Holocaust. Far-right organization whose members for attempting to assassinate
movements such as the National- and supporters have a history of President Emmanuel Macron.166
Radical Camp, All-Polish Youth attacking people and property. ■ June 2019: Five neo-
and Pride, and Modernity take Among the attacks associated Nazis plotting to attack
part in the yearly Independence with the group are two 1988 fire Muslim and Jewish places of
March. While originally organized bombings of hostels catering to worship were arrested.167
to commemorate the restoration immigrant workers (one killed, 12 ■ October 2019: A far-right
of Poland’s sovereignty from injured),160 the 1990 desecration of
different empires, in recent years extremist was arrested after
a Jewish cemetery,161 and the 2002 non-fatally shooting two mosque
the march has been an important assassination attempt made on
event for far-right actors, including congregants who were attempting
then-President Jacques Chirac by to prevent him from burning down
foreign extremists such as Italy’s a far-right extremist and one-time
Roberto Fiore and the U.K.’s the house of worship.168
member of the group.162 More
Tommy Robinson.155 Beyond violent actors, into the
recently, though the threat is not on
realm of electoral politics, the
the same scale as that posed by
France National Rally (previously called
violent Islamist actors, France has
National Front) – founded in
France is home faced a growing danger of far-right 1972 – is France’s best-established
to some of the terrorism that includes plots to far-right political party. During
most prominent attack immigrants, Muslims, and the 2017 elections, its president,
and those perceived to be supportive of Marine Le Pen, was second place
well-established them. Some examples include: right after Macron, securing almost
nativist 24% of the vote.
■ May 2016: A French far-right
movements in
extremist was arrested at the Outside of political parties, several
Europe. These
Ukraine-Poland border while far-right movements, such as the
groups, which have existed for
attempting to return to France while Volontaires pour la France, Réseau
several decades,156 base
in possession of multiple firearms Remora, and Génération Identitaire
themselves on a narrative rooted in
and explosive materials. Ukrainian (Generation Identity), also have
nostalgia for a glorious empire.
authorities say they first became a significant public following.169
These movements were fueled in
aware of the individual during his The latter is particularly known for,
significant part by the humiliating
stay in eastern Ukraine, where he among other things, occupying
French military defeat during the
was trying to establish ties with and storming mosques,170 hosting
Algerian war of independence from
Ukrainian troops under the guise pork sausage and wine parties,171
1954 to 1962.157 Algeria, a French of volunteering.”163 and receiving a donation from
colony since 1830, was valued for
its land and its people as a source ■ July 2017: A far-right extremist Christchurch, New Zealand,
who said he wanted to kill terrorist attacker Brenton Tarrant.172
of cheap labor for France’s colonial
“Muslims, Jews, Blacks, and These different types of actors
ambitions.158 Reactions to
homosexuals” was arrested for have a common dominator of
increasing Algerian immigration to
plotting to assassinate France’s anti-immigrant, anti-corruption, and
France after World War II, and
president on Bastille Day.164 anti-Muslim rhetoric.
especially after French colonial
withdrawal from Algeria, gave rise ■ June 2018: Thirteen people A number of prominent
to far-right populist nativism.159 belonging to the far-right group personalities, such as former Czech
Action des Forces Operationnelles Republic President Václav Klaus
Perhaps the best-known (Operational Forces Action) and former French general Christian
violence-prone group of the were arrested for plotting Piquemal, have gathered around
1980s and 1990s was the French to kill Muslims.165 the National Council of European
and European Nationalist Party, ■ November 2018: Six far- Resistance, which claims to “work
a far-right neo-Nazi militant right extremists were arrested for the defence of European
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