Theorizing the radical right: Directions for social movements research on the right-wing social movements

Most current social movement theory has been built by observing movements on the left. This poses a number of problems when we try to port those theories over to social movements on the right. This paper examines how existing social movement theory falls short in explaining the rise of right-wing social movements and their profound influence in the Republican Party. This paper combines a critical literature review with an eye toward adapting and synthesizing existing theoretical frameworks on social movements in ways that account for the unique aspects of right-wing movements.