The Growing Influence of Right-Wing Nihilism in Western Culture

Imagine waking up to find every media outlet dominated by Christian nationalist viewpoints, sending your children to schools where teachers promote these beliefs, and even your entertainment channels echoing the same ideology. This scenario reflects the current experience for many conservatives in Western societies, who feel overwhelmed by a relentless wave of progressive messaging.

Faced with such pervasive ideological pressure, many initially endure it silently, maintaining composure despite growing frustration. For example, during the 2018 Super Bowl at a West Virginia sports bar, conservative patrons visibly bristled at corporate ads laced with progressive themes, signaling their quiet discontent.

In 2019, a conference aimed at fostering local community building ensured significant participation from conservative regions. However, progressive attendees dominated discussions, often assuming unanimous agreement, which led many conservative participants to remain silent throughout the event.

This divide between progressive elites and conservative non-elites is a widespread challenge in the West. Research by German economist Laurenz Guenther analyzing 27 European countries revealed that while politicians are not necessarily more progressive on economic matters, they tend to adopt significantly more progressive stances on social issues compared to the general populace. This discrepancy has contributed to the rise of populist movements that claim to represent those left behind by establishment parties.

Many individuals adapt to environments dominated by a rigid political orthodoxy by learning to cope. Psychological research involving over 1,400 university students found that a vast majority pretended to hold more progressive views than they truly did to succeed socially and academically. Additionally, many students submitted coursework that misrepresented their actual beliefs, particularly concerning cultural topics like gender and family.

While some conform, others choose to resist. One form of resistance is exemplified by figures who actively seek to dismantle progressive cultural programs such as diversity and equity initiatives. Unlike previous conservative movements that aimed to preserve cultural traditions, this newer approach embraces radical deconstruction, openly rejecting the status quo.

A more extreme response to progressive cultural dominance is nihilism, which begins by rejecting progressive ideas and ultimately dismisses all ideas as false. In a recent dialogue between two right-wing thinkers, one criticized incremental efforts to challenge progressive institutions as insufficient, arguing that complete destruction of existing societal structures is necessary—even without clear alternatives. This nihilistic perspective views democracy and its associated institutions as fundamentally deceptive.

Observations from communities with strong conservative support reveal a growing shift from moderate opposition to outright nihilistic attitudes, where faith in cultural and political values has eroded. A young individual from such a community remarked that unlike previous generations who had beliefs to hold onto, today's youth often feel they have nothing to believe in.

Trust in religious faith, social bonds, and traditional career pathways has declined significantly over recent decades. Surveys show confidence in major institutions is near historic lows. Nihilism intensifies this crisis by eroding belief in the core values society promotes.

Sociological insights highlight how nihilism drives a destructive will to power, characterized by demonization and polarization, with little interest in compromise. Those embracing nihilism often cling to feelings of marginalization, finding identity in opposition and chaos.

Authorities have begun to recognize this threat, with new classifications identifying 'nihilistic violent extremists'—individuals who commit violence not to advance a cause, but simply to cause destruction. Analysts note parallels with cultural narratives where some actors seek chaos for its own sake.

Historically, nihilism has preceded major societal upheavals, such as the Russian Revolution and post-World War I turmoil in Central Europe. These precedents warn of the dangers posed by the current surge of nihilistic sentiment within Western societies.

Reversing this trend poses significant challenges, as encouraging belief in abstract truths and values is more difficult than promoting specific ideas. Nonetheless, there are signs of hope as increasing numbers of young people, especially men, are returning to faith communities, often favoring traditionalist religious practices that contrast with mainstream cultural narratives.

Despite widespread disillusionment, a deep-seated yearning for faith and meaning persists among many young individuals who reject dominant cultural ideologies but continue to seek something to believe in.