Mass Politics, the Economy, and the US Election w/ Anton Jäger | American Prestige
Nov 26, 2024
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Anton Jäger, a historian specializing in political thought at University College Oxford, joins to navigate the intricate landscape of mass politics and the U.S. election aftermath. They discuss the crisis of liberalism and its struggles with socio-economic shifts, analyzing the weak political responses compared to 2016. Jäger examines the dynamics of leftism in America, touching on its global implications, and delves into the challenges of hyperpolitics amid declining democracy. Their insights on Europe's geopolitical issues add a compelling layer to the conversation.
The ongoing crisis of liberalism struggles to adapt amid rising populism, challenging its historical relevance and effectiveness in modern politics.
Current political polarization reveals liberals' resignation and the left's muted responses, underscoring a troubling trend of inadequate political action.
Increased dependence of capital on state power complicates political discourse, emphasizing the need for substantive reforms over status quo preservation.
Deep dives
The Implications of Trump's Election
Trump's election reflects a significant shift in American politics, indicating that the events of 2016 were not an anomaly but a fundamental change in the political landscape. It suggests that the grip on power has grown stronger and that there is a more entrenched political program than before, challenging the idea that liberalism can easily return to a previous state. The analysis posits that liberalism's inability to adapt and self-correct in the face of this shift reveals a deeper crisis within the political ideology itself. This ongoing struggle raises critical questions about the future of liberalism and its capacity to regain influence in a landscape increasingly dominated by Trump's political legacy.
The Crisis of Liberalism
The discussion highlights the failure of liberalism as a dominant political ideology and its struggle to confront emerging challenges, particularly in the context of rising populism and political discontent. Liberalism's historical context, which thrived partly due to external threats, is scrutinized, suggesting that without such pressures, it has deteriorated. The lack of a coherent strategy, as seen in the inability of mainstream Democratic figures to absorb leftist critiques, exacerbates this crisis. The election outcomes underscore the idea that liberalism's existing framework is not equipped to address modern social and economic issues, leading to its declining effectiveness.
Polarization and Political Responses
In the aftermath of the recent election, the political landscape exhibits notable polarization, especially in terms of response behavior among various factions. Liberals exhibited a sense of accommodation rather than rebellion, reflecting a resignation to the current political climate, contrasting with the fervor of previous elections. On the other hand, the left's responses have been muted, showing a lack of cohesive strategies or movements to counter mainstream politics. This shift in dynamic signals a troubling trend where urgent issues are left inadequately addressed, resulting in a passive political environment that fails to mobilize effective action.
The Role of Capital in American Politics
The current political climate reveals an increasing dependence of capital on state power to maintain profitability, particularly evident in the context of Biden’s administration. With various capital fractions vying for influence, the political choices made often reflect internal conflicts rather than cohesive directives. This dependency on state power highlights the intersection between corporate interests and political policies, complicating the landscape further. As such, the political discourse becomes more about the preservation of the status quo rather than genuine reforms that could address the socio-economic challenges facing the country.
Hyperpolitics and the Decline of Mass Democracy
The concept of hyperpolitics emerges from increased political mobilization amid a backdrop of ineffective political systems, leading to a paradoxical situation where involvement does not translate into meaningful change. Although electoral turnout has surged, the existing political structures have rendered these efforts largely futile, resulting in feelings of frustration and disillusionment. This growing sense of urgency does not equate to empowerment, as political engagement often gets consumed by short-term cycles instead of fostering long-term solutions. Ultimately, the dynamics of modern politics compel actors to search for substantive strategies to navigate a future that feels increasingly uncertain.
On this episode of American Prestige, Anton Jäger, historian of political thought, returns to the program to speak with Danny about "the big picture" in the wake of the US election. They discuss the crisis of liberalism, the state of the left, where capital is in its own historical cycle, how the reactions to this election compare with that of 2016, hyperpolitics, empire, the view from Europe, and more.
