Radical Currents: Mapping the Far-Right Roots of Anti-Government Extremism in the United States

Abstract

Anti-Government Extremism (AGE) is a phenomenon that has evolved over a period of time that spans from the US Reconstruction Era all the way to contemporary times. It primarily emerges from a multifaceted interplay that includes historical grievances, socioeconomic disparities, and cultural shifts exacerbated by political polarization.

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine AGE as a core element deriving from right-wing extremism, highlighting its underlying drivers, prominent manifestations, and historical trajectory. While acknowledging the broader spectrum of extremism, the study will underscore the deeply rooted distrust AGE adherents perceive against the federal government, unified under narratives of infringement of personal freedoms.

Furthermore, a systematic literature review will be employed in order to provide an analysis of key themes that highlight the interplay between AGE and right-wing extremist ideologies. Additionally, the dissertation will present how recruitment and radicalization methods have evolved and transformed over the years, and how the contemporary digital era enabled extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Boogaloo Boys to diversify their appeal attracting members across ideological and racial divides.

Finally, the integration of several theoretical frameworks – including Relative Deprivation Theory, Social Identity Theory, Split Delegitimization Theory, Revitalization theory, and Moghadam’s staircase model – will be employed to explore how AGE has spread and remained resilient over the years. Ultimately the dissertation aims to address potential gaps in the literature and provide valuable insights for policymakers and academia, signifying the need to mitigate AGE’s evolving and persistent threat, implementing an interdisciplinary strategy that will encourage further research.