Alt-Right
Pronunciation
Extremist Definition
The Alt-Right, as defined by its adherents and observed in its ideology, is a right-wing ideological movement characterized by a rejection of mainstream conservative politics and a fervent opposition to racial, religious, or gender equality[1][2]. This extremist viewpoint often centers on a strict interpretation of “Western Civilization” as inherently white and superior, advocating for a white-majority society. It embraces conspiracy theories such as “Demographic Replacement” or “Great Replacement,” which falsely claim that white populations are being intentionally replaced by non-white immigrants. The movement views established institutions and media as corrupt or biased (“Lügenpresse”) and seeks to undermine what it perceives as “Cultural Marxism” or “political correctness,” which it believes are designed to dismantle Western society[2].
Extremist Motive
The Alt-Right employs dog whistles—coded language appearing innocent but carrying hidden extremist meanings—to spread its ideology while avoiding outright hate speech and maintaining plausible deniability. Their motives include:
Racial & White Nationalist Dog Whistles: Using terms like “Western Civilization” (implying white European superiority), “Demographic Replacement” (conspiracy theory about white population replacement), “Diversity is Code for White Genocide” (false claim of plot to erase white people), “14 Words” (white nationalist slogan), and “1488” (combination of “14 Words” and “Heil Hitler”).
Anti-Semitic Dog Whistles: Employing “Globalists” (stand-in for Jewish elites), “(((Echoes)))” (online marker for Jewish names), and “ZOG” (Zionist Occupied Government, claiming Jewish control of government).
Anti-LGBTQ+ & Anti-Feminist Dog Whistles: Using “Trad” / “Tradwife” (promoting rigid gender roles), “Degeneracy” (borrowed from Nazi Germany to describe LGBTQ+ or progressive values), and “Soy Boy” (mocking men not fitting hyper-masculine stereotypes).
General Far-Right & Conspiratorial Dog Whistles: Utilizing “Red-Pilled” (waking up to right-wing ideology), “Based” (praising unapologetically right-wing views), “NPC” (dehumanizing leftists), and “Lügenpresse” (Nazi-era term for “lying press” to attack mainstream media).
Extremist Real-World Examples
The Alt-Right’s influence extends beyond online rhetoric, directly impacting real-world violence and radicalization:
- Charlottesville “Unite the Right” Rally (2017): A large gathering of white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and Alt-Right groups in Charlottesville, Virginia. Participants chanted racist slogans like “Jews will not replace us.” A white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring dozens. This event demonstrated how online Alt-Right organizing could translate into violent real-world actions, leading many mainstream conservatives to distance themselves from the Alt-Right[3].
- Online Radicalization & Mass Shootings: The Alt-Right has influenced lone-wolf extremists who carried out deadly attacks inspired by its ideology:
- Christchurch Mosque Shooting (2019): The shooter live-streamed his attack on mosques in New Zealand, killing 51 people. His manifesto referenced the Great Replacement Theory, a common Alt-Right talking point[2].
- Buffalo Supermarket Shooting (2022): The shooter targeted Black people, killing 10. His manifesto repeated Alt-Right conspiracies about “white genocide,” an ideological component often associated with the Alt-Right[2].
- Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting (2018): The shooter killed 11 Jewish worshippers, blaming them for immigration policies. He was radicalized by Alt-Right forums and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, which are key elements of Alt-Right ideology[2].
- The Alt-Right’s Shift to Other Extremist Movements: After Charlottesville, many Alt-Right leaders and groups rebranded or dissolved, but their ideology lived on in movements like the “America First” Movement, Proud Boys, Boogaloo Movement, and QAnon conspiracy theories, which often overlap with Alt-Right ideas about global elites, race, and government control[2].
- Alt-Right Influence on the January 6th Capitol Attack (2021): Extremist groups and Alt-Right figures helped spread the “Big Lie” about election fraud. Many who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6th were radicalized by Alt-Right conspiracy theories, demonstrating how Alt-Right ideology could mobilize people toward anti-democratic violence[2].
Proper Definition:
The Alt-Right (Alternative Right) is a right-wing ideological movement characterized by a rejection of mainstream conservative politics and by the use of online media to disseminate provocative content, often expressing opposition to racial, religious, or gender equality[1]. It typically promotes white nationalism, anti-immigration views, and anti-multiculturalism[2].
Boiled Down Meaning
A far-right movement promoting white nationalism, anti-immigration, and anti-multiculturalism, often using online media to spread provocative, extremist content.
Examples of Proper Use:
- To describe the movement’s historical context: “The Alt-Right gained prominence in the 2010s through online forums and social media”[2].
- To reference its impact on politics: “Alt-Right figures influenced the rise of nationalist rhetoric in political discourse.”
- To identify extremist or white nationalist groups: “The Alt-Right is known for promoting the Great Replacement theory”[2].
Examples of Other Terms:
Alt-right pipeline, Alternative media, The Alt-Right Playbook, Blood and soil, Incitement to ethnic or racial hatred, Neo-integralism, Neo-nationalism, Angry white male, Racism in the United States, Right-wing authoritarianism, Right-wing terrorism, Netto-uyoku, Uyoku dantai, Ultraconservatism. Many of these related concepts and terms are discussed within general resources about the Alt-Right[2].
Additional Notes
The Alt-Right, though less centralized than in its peak years of 2016-2017, continues to influence white nationalist groups, conspiracy movements, and extremist militias. Its core ideas and methods of online radicalization persist within the broader far-right landscape.
See also
- Alt-right pipeline
- Alternative media
- The Alt-Right Playbook
- Blood and soil
- Incitement to ethnic or racial hatred
- Neo-integralism
- Neo-nationalism
- Angry white male
- Racism in the United States
- Right-wing authoritarianism
- Right-wing terrorism
- Netto-uyoku
- Uyoku dantai
- Ultraconservatism
