Quinn Slobodian, author of 'Hayek's Bastards', dives into the unsettling connections between neoliberalism and far-right ideologies. He discusses 'new fusionism', a blend of neoliberalism and biological determinism that gained traction in the 1990s. Quinn explores how these ideas have transformed from fringe beliefs into mainstream discourse. He unpacks the resurgence of race science and its ramifications in today’s political climate, showcasing the troubling alignment of capitalism with identity and hierarchy.
Quinn Slobodian discusses how 'New Fusionism' in the 1990s intertwined neoliberal economics with biological determinism to justify racial hierarchies.
The podcast highlights the evolution of neoliberal thought, transitioning from outsider status to mainstream influence following the Cold War's end.
Connections are drawn between modern tech figures and the resurgence of race science, emphasizing the dangerous implications of biological determinism in contemporary discourse.
Deep dives
The Rise of Hayek’s Bastards
The episode discusses the emergence of what is termed 'Hayek's Bastards,' a reference to the new ideological descendants of Friedrich Hayek who have adapted and mutated his ideas. This modernization focuses on the intertwining of economic and racial narratives, with an emphasis on an ‘ethnoeconomy’ that prioritizes biological differences and intelligence metrics in shaping economic policies. This approach posits that ideas do not transfer linearly between generations; instead, they adapt and evolve according to contemporary challenges and social dynamics. The conversation highlights how these thinkers neared the mainstream of right-wing politics, growing close to the very center of the ideological spectrum.
Influence of Voltaire's Bastards
The title, 'Hayek's Bastards,' draws inspiration from John Ralston Saul's 'Voltaire’s Bastards,' which critiques rationalism and its unintended consequences. The discussion elaborates on how Hayek’s descendants differ not just as direct heirs but in their interpretations and adaptations of his legacy. The speaker reflects on their long-standing fascination with philosophical influences and how the bastard metaphor effectively illustrates the complexity of intellectual evolution. This framing invites an analysis of how ideas mutate over time and the unexpected turns these ideological pathways take.
The Neoliberal Condition Post-Cold War
The podcast explores the neoliberal intellectual environment following the Cold War, detailing how neoliberal thinkers transitioned from being outsiders to mainstream influencers after the fall of the Soviet Union. This period prompted critical self-reflection, where former outsiders questioned their beliefs and aims now that they ostensibly 'won.' The fear of losing social cohesion led to intense debates on human nature and societal structures, revealing an intellectual fervor spurred by uncertainty about the future. The rise of Trumpism is viewed as a response that sidestepped neoliberal intentions, creating unexpected challenges and shifting the ideological landscape once again.
Concept of New Fusionism
The concept of 'New Fusionism' is presented as a significant ideological development in the 1990s, blending classical neoliberal ideas with elements of religious traditionalism and a focus on hierarchies based on biology. This alignment reflects a shift in the discourse surrounding economic policies, intertwined with a scientific rationale emphasizing genetic superiority and cultural differences. By embedding cultural prerequisites within their economic frameworks, these new fusionists undermine previous globalization efforts aiming for uniformity among populations. This shift reveals a troubling embrace of ideas that justify racial hierarchies as natural rather than socially constructed.
Modern-Day Implications of Race Science
The episode concludes by connecting current figures in the tech industry to the resurgence of race science, illustrating how these ideas have once again entered mainstream discourse. The notion of biological determinism has resurfaced, influencing policies and societal narratives under the guise of scientific legitimacy. Prominent voices advocating for a return to biological explanations for social and economic hierarchies pave the way for problematic ideologies that promote exclusion and segregation. The conversation underscores the continuity of these harmful thoughts, raising alarms about their implications for modern governance and societal structures.
We are joined by yet another TMK favorite, Quinn Slobodian, who is author of Hayek's Bastards: Race, Gold, IQ, and the Capitalism of the Far Right. We discuss Quinn’s analysis of “new fusionism” or a mutant strain of neoliberalism that crystallized in the 1990s, which sought to ground and defend neoliberal policies through their own bastardization of biological sciences — cognitive, behavioral, evolutionary, genetic, and so on. They then used scientism to justify and propagate political ideas and economic models based on hardwired human nature and hierarchical differences between races, cultures, and intelligence. The fringes of the 1990s have now become the mainstream of the 2020s.
••• Hayek's Bastards: Race, Gold, IQ, and the Capitalism of the Far Right | Quinn Slobodian https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9781890951917/hayeks-bastards
Standing Plugs:
••• Order Jathan’s new book: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520398078/the-mechanic-and-the-luddite
••• Subscribe to Ed’s substack: https://substack.com/@thetechbubble
••• Subscribe to TMK on patreon for premium episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thismachinekills
Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (bsky.app/profile/jathansadowski.com) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.x.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (bsky.app/profile/jebr.bsky.social)
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