Beyond the mainstream: what defines the far-right ultraconservative movement?

Cultures · Published 1 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While mainstream conservatism seeks to preserve institutions, ultraconservatism often seeks to uproot them. From the radical right in Europe to the political shifts in Argentina and Japan, this movement uses populism and cultural crisis to challenge the global status quo.

Ultraconservatism describes extreme political or religious positions that sit to the far-right of mainstream conservative thought. Rather than simply maintaining the status quo, these movements often thrive on perceived cultural crises. They frequently champion anti-globalist agendas, emphasizing nationalism, sovereignty, and anti-immigration stances. In some political contexts, such as the United States, this ideology has been paired with neoliberal economic principles, while in others, it manifests as a rejection of modern rationalism altogether.

The movement's mechanics often involve intense polarization and the use of 'in-group' versus 'out-group' rhetoric. Historically, in the U.S., this was evident during the 1960s Cold War era with the John Birch Society, which opposed civil rights and social programs. In more recent decades, the movement has utilized think tanks, lobbyists, and wealthy donors like Richard Uihlein to influence culture. This often involves labeling certain groups as 'parasitic' to the economy to drive public division.

Global examples show a diverse range of applications. In Argentina, President Javier Milei represents a brand of right-wing populism linked to anarcho-capitalism. In Japan, the Nippon Kaigi group supports constitutional amendments and the defense of the Empire. Even within religious spheres, ultraconservatism appears as a hardline resistance to secularism, seen in the opposition to 'Western toxification' in Iran or the rejection of modern medicine and evolution within Falun Gong. Whether through the 'Conservative Revolution' in Weimar Germany or the rise of the 'Second New Right,' the movement consistently seeks to reclaim a perceived lost national or moral glory.

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