Troy Southgate (born July 22, 1965, in Crystal Palace, South London) is a prolific British author, publisher, musician, and political theorist best known as the originator of national-anarchism—a highly contentious ideology that seeks to combine anti-statist decentralism with ethnic separatism, traditionalism, and critiques of modernity. Now living in rural northern Portugal, Southgate continues to produce books, essays, and music while maintaining a low-profile online presence via Substack and his publishing house.
Political Evolution: From Far-Right Activism to National-Anarchism
Southgate's trajectory reflects a shift from orthodox far-right politics to a more eclectic, "beyond left and right" stance:
1980s–1990s: Joined the National Front (NF) in 1984, contributing to its publications and organizing locally. Later involved with the International Third Position (ITP), a Strasserist (anti-capitalist nationalist) group influenced by Catholic distributism and Third Position fascism.
Mid-1990s Pivot: Disillusioned with hierarchical structures, he encountered green anarchism via Richard Hunt's Alternative Green magazine. This led to the formation of the National Revolutionary Faction (NRF) in 1996–1998, an attempt at "entryism" into leftist and countercultural spaces.
Late 1990s Onward: Fully embraced national-anarchism, founding the National-Anarchist Movement (N-AM). Co-founded the New Right think tank (2005) with Jonathan Bowden. Established Black Front Press in 2010, which has published over 150 titles on esoteric, traditionalist, and radical themes.
His influences span Julius Evola (radical traditionalism), Alain de Benoist (Nouvelle Droite ethnopluralism), Mikhail Bakunin (anarchism), Corneliu Codreanu (Romanian Iron Guard), Otto Strasser, and primitivists like Richard Hunt.
Core Ideology: National-Anarchism Explained
Southgate describes national-anarchism as a vision of autonomous, self-sufficient village-communities organized around shared ethnic, cultural, or ideological identities, free from central state control or global capitalism. Key tenets include:
Decentralization and Anti-Statism: Rejection of nation-states, favoring small-scale tribal or folk-based units with mutual aid and local economies.
Ethnopluralism: Advocacy for racial/cultural separation to preserve "diversity"—different groups living apart in voluntary enclaves, opposing multiculturalism as homogenizing.
Anti-Modernism: Critique of industrialization, urbanization, and consumerism; influenced by anarcho-primitivism and perennial philosophy.
Beyond Left/Right: Draws from both anarchist anti-authoritarianism and far-right traditionalism, rejecting egalitarianism as unnatural while endorsing "organic" hierarchies.
In his own words (from interviews and writings): Communities should allow people to "occupy their own space in accordance with their own principles," defending traditions against globalization.
Key Publications and Recent Activity
Through Black Front Press (operated via PayPal: blackfrontpress@yahoo.co.uk), Southgate has authored/edited numerous works:
Tradition and Revolution (collected essays).
National-Anarchism: A Reader (2012) and National-Anarchism: Ideas and Concepts (reissued/expanded in recent years).
Biographies and studies on figures like Otto Strasser, Corneliu Codreanu, and Rudolf Steiner (anthroposophy).
Recent titles (2024–2025): Books on esoteric topics, poetry, and politics; Spanish editions of his works.
He runs a Substack (troysouthgate.substack.com) with posts on activism, history, and personal reflections (e.g., "On Becoming an Activist" in Dec 2024). In June 2024, he spoke at the Commonwealth of Free Spirits conference in Porto on Oscar Wilde's socialism. As of 2025, he promotes non-profit publishing and invites booklist requests.
Musically, he has performed in neoclassical projects like H.E.R.R. and earlier punk/ska bands.
Controversies and Scholarly Critiques
National-anarchism remains deeply polarizing:
Accusations of Fascist Rebranding: Scholars like Graham D. Macklin (2005) and Spencer Sunshine describe it as "co-opting the counterculture"—using anarchist aesthetics (black flags, anti-globalization rhetoric) to mask far-right goals like racial separatism. Critics argue it's a "Trojan horse" for infiltrating leftist movements.
Far-Right Continuity: Despite disavowing classical fascism (criticizing Hitler/Mussolini as statist), his early NF/ITP ties, praise for Codreanu/Strasser, and views on race (e.g., analogies of multiculturalism as "pollution") lead to labels of white nationalism or neo-fascism.
Rejection by Anarchists: Mainstream anarchists view nationalism as inherently hierarchical and incompatible with anti-authoritarianism. RationalWiki and anti-fascist sources call it oxymoronic and dangerous.
Defenses: Sympathetic voices (e.g., in third-positionist or traditionalist circles) see it as a genuine anti-system alternative, emphasizing voluntary separation over supremacy.
The ideology has minimal real-world impact—mostly online networks and small publications—but sparks ongoing debates in radical politics.
Final Assessment
Southgate's work is intellectually dense and syncretic, appealing to dissidents frustrated with modernity. However, its fusion of anarchism with ethnic nationalism is widely regarded as contradictory and strategically deceptive by most observers. Primary sources (his books/Substack) offer his unfiltered view; secondary critiques (Wikipedia, academic papers) provide context on controversies. Approach critically, as it intersects with extremist discourses.
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