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2 - Restorative Nostalgia

The Quest to Make America Great Again

from Part I

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 July 2026

R. K. Maril
Affiliation:
Willamette University College of Law
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Summary

This chapter explores the use of restorative nostalgic political propaganda by antidemocratic forces to pursue a myth of a “golden age” and reinstate policies built on racism, homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny. Although conservative political figures in the US have long capitalized on the allure of restorative nostalgia to delegitimize progressive social and political reforms, today’s populist MAGA movement is different in both kind and degree. In a quest to “make America great again,” the MAGA movement aims to turn the clock back on decades of social justice gains by villainizing the social progress and expansion of rights that have made many of our lives possible. This chapter explains the historic use of restorative nostalgic propaganda by fascist regimes to blame modernity and the expansion of civil and political rights for the loss of a “great mythic past” defined by simplicity and prosperity. Under this view, individuals who advocate for progressive reforms are demonized and branded as enemies of the state. Restorative nostalgic political propaganda demands the exclusion and erasure of nonconforming individuals to restore the “simple life” and regain national glory.

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  • Restorative Nostalgia
  • R. K. Maril, Willamette University College of Law
  • Book: A Queer Guide to Saving American Democracy
  • Online publication: 23 July 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009858069.005
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  • Restorative Nostalgia
  • R. K. Maril, Willamette University College of Law
  • Book: A Queer Guide to Saving American Democracy
  • Online publication: 23 July 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009858069.005
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Restorative Nostalgia
  • R. K. Maril, Willamette University College of Law
  • Book: A Queer Guide to Saving American Democracy
  • Online publication: 23 July 2026
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009858069.005
Available formats
×