Straight Talk 2019

Nationalist Fervor on the Rise in the U.S. and Europe

We are experiencing a nationalist fervor that is energizing to some but alarming to others. The rise in the U.S. and Europe of populist nationalism is considered by many to be the single-most important political development of the 21st century. The election of Donald Trump, who was sent to the White House on a wave of right-wing populism, England’s Brexit movement, and the rise of the far-right in many European elections point to a phenomenon that is unmistakably tied to white identity, immigration, and demographic change.

Over three weekly sessions, we looked at the rise in nationalist fervor from three distinct points of focus. On August 29, we examined nationalism’s connection to populism and authoritarianism and how this influences our politics and our democracy. On September 5, we considered how white group identity and changing demographics are having an impact on our politics and our public discourse. Finally, on September 12, we shifted our focus to white nationalism as we hear one man’s journey from heir apparent in the white nationalist movement to critic of the movement’s toxic ideology, false narrative and racist views.

Are we witnessing a moment in time that soon will pass, or are we at the beginning of a new era?

StraightTalk is carried out annually in partnership with OLLI@Furman.