To Understand New Extremism, Look to History

Some of the forces protecting European nations even as far-right candidates thrive are not in play in the United States, and particularly not within a Republican establishment vulnerable to a takeover.

The central question in American politics today is, I think, what the *expletive my editor wont let me use* is going on?!?

During the primary campaign in 2015, many expected the Republican establishment to push Trump and his allies out of the mainstream party. Instead, the opposite has happened: Trump won the primary and then the presidency. Since then, Republican officials who attempt to combat such extremism from within the party have tended to find themselves pushed out instead. Representative Liz Cheney, who helped investigate the attack on the capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, lost a primary election this year. She is not alone: Of the 10 Republican members of Congress who voted to impeach Trump over the attack, eight have retired or lost primaries.

And there is now a growing movement within the Republican Party to refuse to accept defeat in elections, a rejection of what is arguably the most crucial element of democratic governance.