Alt-lite
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. The alt-lite, also known as the alt-light[1] and the new right,[2] is a loosely-defined political movement consisting of various politically-oriented groups, activists and commentators with right-wing views who, to varying degrees, oppose mainstream conservatism. The alt-lite has frequently been contrasted with, and compared to, the political alt-right, with which it shares some features. It has generally been described as an offshoot of the alt-right, in that it shares some key features and beliefs, but rejects the identity politics—including the white nationalism and racialism of the alt-right
Contents
History
Some have traced the recognition of the alt-lite—as a distinct entity from the alt-right—to what is seen as the consolidation of the alt-right as a white nationalist movement. In a speech given to a meeting of white nationalists in November 2016, Richard B. Spencer (who is often credited with creating or popularizing the term "alt-right") quoted National Socialist propaganda and declared "Hail Trump, hail our people, hail victory!" while members of the audience responded to this by giving Hitler salutes.[3][4]
Subsequent to this, various figures who had been linked to the alt-right distanced themselves from Spencer's remarks and suggested that two factions had emerged from the alt-right.[2][5] This was the result of a "rift" within the wider alt-right movement between those favoring white nationalism and explicit racism on the one hand and more moderate forces on the other. Some members of the latter group at first adopted the term "new right" to describe themselves, with Mike Cernovich saying of the division that "[t]he lines are drawn and the fracture is more or less complete".[5] The term "alt-lite" is sometimes claimed to have been created by members of the alt-right to distinguish themselves from right-wing groups and ideologies who support more radical ideologies, such as overt white supremacy and white nationalism.
The division between alt-right and alt-lite received further media attention in June 2017 when the two factions found themselves divided over the issue of Spencer's attendance at a Free Speech rally in Washington, D.C.[6] Certain individuals protested Spencer's involvement by organizing a competing rally on the same day, with Spencer referring to such individuals as "alt-lite" and saying that "the movement needs a good purge".[7]
Beliefs
People associated with the alt-lite have distanced themselves from the ethnic nationalism of the alt-right.[1] As with the alt-right, the alt-lite commonly shows broad support for Donald Trump, criticism of and/or opposition to political correctness, Islam, fourth-wave feminism, welfare and illegal immigration. Some have seen the movement as engaging in conspiracy theories, citing its promotion of Pizzagate as well as its support for the Gamergate movement.
Alt-right figures have described Breitbart News and Steve Bannon as "alt-lite" for presenting a diluted form of alt-right ideas.[3]
Wired has referred to the alt-lite as "the alt-right's relatively mild-mannered sibling".[8]
Individuals associated with the alt-lite include Mike Cernovich, Gavin McInnes, Jack Posobiec and Laura Loomer.[9]
See also
- Neoconservatism
- Neo-nationalism
- Paleolibertarianism
- Radical right (United States)
- Right-wing populism
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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