Opinion | The Disenfranchised Youth within the American Right

My curiosity prompts some readers to ask why I’m surprised. They might argue that the right has always had its fair share of racists and bigots. While I admit that there was more racism on the right than I previously realized, especially before the rise of Trump, there has been a noticeable change in the culture of young right-wing individuals. It starkly contrasts with what I experienced during my college years, law school, and early legal career.

When I observe the right, particularly the so-called new right, I notice a movement influenced by simple yet potent cultural forces. Hatred, coupled with male insecurity and cowardice, drives young right-wing men towards outright bigotry and prejudice. Despite their self-perception, they lack strength, resilience, and bravery. They are timid sheep disguised as wolves, obediently following the loudest and most aggressive voices.

In order to comprehend this cultural phenomenon, let me introduce you to a relatively unknown online concept called “no enemies to the right.” While a small fringe deliberately adopts this mindset as an ethos, it is the cultural reality for a much larger group. In their minds, the left is so malevolent and poses such an existential threat that any form of accommodation or criticism towards the right weakens the forces of good in their epic battle against darkness. If you launch scathing attacks on the left, you’ll receive thunderous applause from your peers. But dare to criticize the new right, and you’ll face a vicious backlash. This creates an unyielding push towards extremist ideologies.

Interestingly, one of their main criticisms of what they might refer to as the “zombie” right, embodying the Reagan era conservatism of their parents’ generation, is that it was too accommodating. According to them, classical liberal politics, which prioritize free speech and robust debates, only embolden and empower the left. They view compromise as a one-way street, believing that conservatism failed to conserve anything. In their eyes, the left is dominating the cultural war.

This is where masculine insecurity comes into play. The new right firmly believes that their opposition to the left is undeniably correct, and any compromise can only be attributed to moral cowardice or financial opportunism (“grifting”). They perceive fighting on the right, mainly through social media trolling or embracing authoritarianism as a strong alternative to weak-willed classical liberalism, as an indicator of strength, courage, and coolness. It demonstrates a fiercely independent mind.