Skousenism

Skousenism is a term used to describe the political philosophy of ultraconservative political theorist W. Cleon Skousen (1913-2006). Skousen advocated a philosophy centered on advocacy for extremely limited federal government, anti-Communism, conspiracy theories and Mormon theology. Skousenites occasionally win public office in western states (controversial 1980s Arizona governor Evan Meacham was a Skousenite, for example) but exist primarily on the political fringes; at their most extreme, they merge with the anti-government extremist “Patriot” movement.

This database provides an overview of many of the terms and individuals used by or associated with movements and groups that subscribe to and/or promote extremist or hateful ideologies.