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Today’s episode is the final part of my three-part miniseries – my pursuit of understanding the far right nationalist movement that motivates Trump supporters, contemporary Republican voters. But, this phenomenon is not limited to the United States. There are companion movements, arguably more deeply rooted and historical, gaining traction in other countries – like Australia, South Korea, South Africa, and also across Europe, in places like Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the UK.

And, so today, I’m talking to Dr. Sasha Polakow-Suransky – Deputy Editor of Foreign Policy magazine and author of the 2017 book – Go Back to Where You Came From: The Backlash Against Immigration and the Fate of Western Democracy. We talk about the origins of nationalist movements, what has contributed to their rise, how politicians and activists have preyed upon and exploited very real concerns, twisting them into something violent and destructive for, not only the folks that exist outside of the in-group narrative, but of liberal democracy, maybe just democracy, itself. We also discuss why this matters and how to bring these people back into some sensible realm of policymaking that doesn’t lay waste to the very values and principles that form the bedrock of our democratic systems.

Mentioned:
Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right - Arlie Hochschild

The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy - Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry

Foreign Policy Magazine

Recommended:
Go Back to Where You Came From: The Backlash Against Immigration and the Fate of Western Democracy - Sasha Polakow-Suranksy

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