Extremist's politics: The development of the radical right-wing

In this thesis I shall contend that the ultraconservative thought of the political right-wing in this country is based largely upon conspiracy theory. The belief that subversive groups infiltrate government and society specifically to usurp the rights and privileges cherished by the "chosen" or "righteous" is the founding tenet of many right-wing extremist organizations. In fact, conspiracy theory is so essential to many Radical Right philosophies that the groups would be impaired or dissolved if their belief is modified or abandoned. The thesis demonstrates the way in which radicalism traveled from Western Europe to the United States, and the way in which it manifested itself in many early and contemporary political groups. American right-wing extremist groups sometimes rely upon early European figures and groups who promoted conspiracy theory as a means to explain the world situation. Adam Weishaupt, founder of the Illuminati, is especially important to the contemporary right-wing extremist group with which I am concerned.