John Ganz, an expert on paleoconservatism, discusses its influence on the Republican Party and conservative politics. They touch upon figures like David Duke, Pat Buchanan, and Sam Francis, and their enduring impact on the conservative movement. The podcast explores the evolution of the conservative movement, the intellectual justification of Trumpism, and the controversial history of American conservatism.
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Quick takeaways
Paleo-conservatism emerged with figures like Pat Buchanan and David Duke openly aligning their campaigns, reflecting the opposition to neoconservative dominance.
Paleo-conservatives idealize a grandiose American past and often blend cynicism, nihilism, and a questioning of democracy in their writings.
The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 further fueled paleo-conservative outrage, leading to Pat Buchanan's decision to run for president and solidifying his alignment with the far-right agenda.
The myth of conservative intellectuals controlling and shaping the movement is debunked by historical reality, highlighting the enduring reactionary energies and the challenge of moderating extreme elements.
Deep dives
The Rise of Paleo-Conservatism
Pat Buchanan and David Duke play key roles in the emerging paleo-conservative movement, with Buchanan openly aligning his campaign with Duke's platform. Buchanan's decision to run for president arises from his opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1991 and his deepening dissatisfaction with the neoconservative influence on the conservative movement.
Meeting at a Chinese Restaurant
Paddy Buchanan, Joe Sobran, and Sam Francis gather at a Chinese restaurant in McLean, Virginia to discuss their shared opposition to neoconservative dominance. Sobran, in his syndicated column, performs what can only be described as a signal boost for a white nationalist publication, while Francis emerges as a leading intellectual of the far right.
The Gloomy Fantasies of Paleo-Conservatism
Paleo-conservatives find solace in fantasies of a grandiose American past filled with power, gloom, and an idealized vision of the South and Confederacy. These fantasies permeate their writing, which often blends cynicism, nihilism, and a questioning of democracy itself.
The Civil Rights Act of 1991
The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 by the Bush administration sparks outrage among paleo-conservatives who see it as a threat to white Americans and an example of racial quotas. This furthers Pat Buchanan's decision to run for president and solidifies his alignment with the far-right agenda.
The Myth of Conservative Intellectual Control
The mythology of a well-controlled, intellectually rigorous right is disproven by the historical reality of the conservative movement. The idea that conservative intellectuals have always directed and shaped the movement is a myth, as their attempts to control the more extreme elements of the right have often failed. The never-Trump conservatives, who resist the current right-wing populism, are in a precarious position as they harbor a similar belief in their ability to dictate the terms of debate and control the movement. The reality is that the conservative movement has always had reactionary energies and relied on external forces that intellectuals struggled to moderate.
The Persistence of Paleoconservatism
Paleoconservatism, a strain of conservatism focused on cultural preservation and nationalism, has persisted throughout American history, challenging the dominance of neoconservatism. This ideological struggle has played out in various ways, with paleocons challenging the government on issues such as the Gulf War and the Iraq War. The New Deal era saw the rise of anti-government sentiment on the right, which gained traction over time. The never-Trump conservatives reflect this ongoing battle between neoconservative and paleoconservative factions, but are hindered by their belief in the ability to control the movement and their failure to acknowledge the persistence and appeal of paleoconservatism.
The Role of Imaginative Realms in Politics
Understanding the role of the imagination in shaping political beliefs is essential. People's imaginations, their fixations, and the ideas that occupy their minds are important components of their political motivations. This is especially true on the right, where imaginative realms, mythologies, and emotional appeals play a significant role. The right's fixation on enemies, the power of ideas, and the belief in ideology as a determining force is often misread by both liberals and conservatives. Recognizing the role of imagination and the complex interplay between ideas, emotions, and material interests is crucial in understanding the dynamics of right-wing politics.
The Myth of Intellectual Control and the Limits of Ideas
The belief in conservative intellectual control and the power of ideas to shape the movement is a myth. Conservatives have often failed to contain the more extreme elements of the right, and their attempts to shape the movement have been limited in their effectiveness. The conservative movement has always had reactionary energies driven by material interests and instincts, which intellectuals struggle to moderate. The historical reality shows that impulses and instincts have consequences, and the attempt to control or regulate these forces through ideas has often fallen short. The dynamic interplay between instincts, material interests, and ideology is crucial in understanding the motivations and actions of the conservative movement.
Matt and Sam talk to John Ganz about paleoconservatism, the Island of the Misfit Toys of the American right. Along the way we're introduced to David Duke, Pat Buchanan, Sam Francis, and others, and discuss their enduring influence on the Republican Party and conservative politics—both in 1992, when Buchanan made a failed run for president, and today, when the hopes of their movement seems to have been fulfilled in Donald Trump.
