Deglobalization and the political psychology of white supremacy

Abstract

This article is concerned with the psychological dimensions of deglobalization and white supremacy as related to fantasies of “whiteness.” The (re)construction of narratives and myths are contested processes, concerning both the struggle for control over historical and cultural space as well as the articulation of particular needs for individuals and groups in the present. We explore the stories and myths created around globalization, (in)security, and the nation. Of importance is how deglobalization and emerging ontological insecurities relate to various fantasy narratives and how these can be understood in psychological terms of dislocation, hybridity, and impermanence in conjunction with a search for security and stability. The implications of these processes on contemporary political identities are of crucial importance as they are able to speak to some of the most contested issues of our times: the threat of extremist and white supremacist groups and discourses to democracy and democratic institutions.