One name, many worlds: the fractured identity of the global New Right
It is a label used for everything from American anti-egalitarianism to Japanese ethno-nationalism. While some branches champion free-market capitalism and deregulation, others seek a conservative revolution. To understand the New Right, one must navigate a complex web of seemingly contradictory ideologies spanning continents.
The term 'New Right' lacks a single, unified definition, acting instead as a catch-all for various movements that emerged at different historical junctures. In the United States, the label gained prominence during Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign, describing a more combative and uninhibited right-wing response to social liberalism. This American iteration shared little with the 'European New Right,' which emerged after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and drew inspiration from the conservative revolutionary Moeller van den Bruck.
Geographically, the movement's characteristics shift significantly. In Australia, the New Right emerged in the late 1970s and 1980s, advocating for economic liberalism and increasing social conservatism, often clashing with the 'wets'—those favoring Keynesian economics. In Brazil, the movement grew from widespread discontent with previous left-wing policies, distinguishing itself from the 'old right' by embracing democracy, free-market capitalism, and a rejection of 'cultural Marxism.' Meanwhile, in Japan, the Minzoku-ha faction represents an ethno-nationalist strain that is notably more anti-American than mainstream conservatives.
Economic policies often serve as a common thread, particularly the advocacy for the 'night-watchman state,' privatization, and deregulation. This is evident in New Zealand's 'Rogernomics,' where the Labour Party pursued monetarist approaches and the removal of subsidies, and in the Australian 'dries' who pushed for market-oriented reforms. However, the movement remains deeply fragmented, ranging from the anarcho-capitalism of libertarian circles to the nationalist-revolutionary rhetoric found in Germany's Neue Rechte.
Source: New Right
