The Revenge Of Dreyfus: Charles Maurras And His Influence On Right-Wing Political Discourse

This thesis was born out of an interest in the recent surge of far-right nationalism in the 21st century and a curiosity about whether or not an analysis of the far-right surge in the early twentieth century can be used to better understand it. It includes an analysis of Charles Maurras, the founder of the French far right tradition, as well as a comparison between his ideas and the ideas of his ideological successors. In this thesis, I argue that Maurras employs a synthesis of two elements of thought: an aesthetic traditionalism, which prioritizes tradition, order, and cultural continuity, and a territorial xenophobia, which attacks foreigners and anti-French influences as unhealthy for France. Elements of aesthetic traditionalism are found to be admired and used by thinkers such as T.S. Eliot, while elements of his territorial xenophobia are found in the discourse surrounding contemporary far right movements. Both elements, although never both found together, are reflected in the ideas of nationalist figures and movements post-Maurras in order to respond to a perceived national degradation.