Introduction

The political landscape in the United States and the United Kingdom has seen significant shifts in recent years. Among the most notable is the rise of the 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) movement, which shares striking similarities with the National Front (NF) in the UK. Understanding these parallels is crucial for grasping the forces driving political extremism today.

Historical Context and Comparison

America First vs. MAGA

The isolationist group ‘America First’ during the 1940s, led by figures like Charles Lindbergh, represented a clear divergence from the principles of interventionism that emerged with the attack on Pearl Harbor. In stark contrast, MAGA, led by Donald Trump, represents a more persistent alignment with nationalist and isolationist sentiments.

America First was rooted in the 1910s and early 1920s, a period when the United States was isolationist. This movement was often associated with more authoritarian tendencies, as seen in figures like Woodrow Wilson. However, this is not to be confused with the current MAGA movement, which more closely aligns with the National Front in the UK, a definitively nativist movement.

Both MAGA and the NF are nativist movements, seeking to preserve the status quo and protect the interests of native-born citizens. This comparison becomes even more poignant when considering historical accounts from the 1970s that saw the NF active in the UK, where I, as a young Seattle resident, was exposed to these ideologies in London.

MAGA and the National Front: A Shared Extremism

Connecting the Dots with Rachel Maddow’s Podcast

Rachel Maddow’s podcast, Ultra, provides a rich historical context to the extremism that arises when elected officials align with the ultra-right. The podcast explores the true story of how extremist elected officials, like those within the National Front, go to great lengths to cover their tracks when plotting against democracy.

The podcast highlights cases of sitting members of Congress aiding and abetting plots to overthrow the government, similar to the criminal charges filed against individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. In both the US and UK, the power and proximity to government can amplify such extremist ideologies.

Looking at the National Front in the UK, its roots trace back to the remnants of the Know-Nothings in the 19th century but quickly transformed into a “foreign” political party, reflecting a nativist and xenophobic agenda. The NF’s impact was significant, especially in the 1970s, with massive support for the movement in working-class neighborhoods like North Ealing, where I lived as a young person. The Insurrectionists' criminal charges and justice department pressures emphasize the urgency and seriousness of addressing such extremist threats.

Extremism in Context

The correct comparison between MAGA and the National Front reveals a shared extremist narrative that spans continents. The National Front in the UK and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement in the US both seek to preserve a version of the past, often romanticized and idealized, to protect the interests of the native-born population.

Conclusion: While the 'Paki’s out!' slogans of the National Front in the 1970s seem distant from the trucker caps of MAGA today, the underlying ideologies are surprisingly parallel. Understanding these connections is essential for navigating the complex and often troubling landscape of modern political extremism in both the US and the UK.

Keywords: MAGA, National Front, Extremism