The Inner Monologue

In the political tradition, history is filled with passionate movements, popular uprisings, and transformative leaders. Many of these start as responses to real grievances or opportunities for reform. But over time, some of them harden into rigid ideologies—what we might call “-isms.” And when that happens, a critical line is crossed.

An “-ism” isn’t just a set of policies. It’s a worldview. A lens that distorts nuance, encourages division, and often places loyalty above principle. Let’s explore how this transformation has happened in key moments of U.S. history—and why it matters today.

1. Jacksonianism: From Populism to Exclusion

Andrew Jackson rode a wave of populist energy, claiming to represent the “common man” against elite interests. His brand of politics expanded suffrage for white males and challenged entrenched institutions. But as Jacksonianism took shape, it became more than just a political shift—it became an identity.

And that identity excluded others. Jackson’s policies led to the forced removal of Native Americans and upheld slavery. Once the movement became Jacksonianism, it was no longer just about empowering the people—it was about defining which people counted. The line had been crossed.

2. Nativism: From Concern to Xenophobia

Throughout history, there have been recurring debates about immigration. But nativism represents a darker turn. It’s what happens when policy questions give way to fear-driven ideology—where immigrants are cast not just as outsiders but as threats to the nation’s very fabric.

Movements like the Know-Nothing Party in the 1850s and 20th-century opposition to Catholics, Asians, and later Latin American immigrants reflected this -ism. What began as concern became cultural and racial exclusion, justified by a belief in national purity.

3. America Firstism: From Self-Interest to Isolation

It’s natural for a country to prioritize its interests. But America Firstism turns that instinct into isolationism and suspicion of the outside world. Before World War II, the America First Committee opposed U.S. involvement abroad—often with undertones of antisemitism and appeasement of fascism.

Revived in recent years, this ideology again promotes a version of nationalism that sees international cooperation as betrayal. Once “America First” becomes America Firstism, it stops being a slogan and starts being a worldview of distrust and disengagement.

4. Populism: From Empowerment to Demagoguery

Populist movements have played powerful roles in history, from the 1890s People’s Party to New Deal-era reforms. But populism as an -ism often turns power to the people into power to a single voice. It collapses complex political landscapes into a binary: “the good people” vs. “the corrupt elite.”

This framework opens the door for demagogues who claim to speak for “the people” while dismantling the institutions meant to protect them. When populism becomes dogma, it stops empowering and starts polarizing.

5. McCarthyism: From Vigilance to Paranoia

In the early Cold War, national security was a legitimate concern. But McCarthyism represents the moment when vigilance turned into mass suspicion and political persecution. Evidence gave way to accusation, and fear became a weapon.

Careers were ruined. Dissent was equated with disloyalty. McCarthyism became a cautionary tale—how quickly a free society can become one driven by fear and silence once an -ism takes hold.

The Danger of the -Ism

When a political movement becomes an -ism, it stops being a debate and becomes a demand. -Isms elevate identity over ideas, loyalty over truth, and conflict over compromise. They transform complex realities into simple narratives of us vs. them.

That’s why we must be vigilant—not just of the ideologies we oppose, but of the ones we support. Passion is essential in democracy. But when passion calcifies into an -ism, democracy itself can become the casualty.