This Machine Kills 401. Ruled by Bastards (ft. Quinn Slobodian)
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Apr 14, 2025 
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.
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Bastards Lineage
- Quinn Slobodian's interest in "bastards" stems from John Ralston Saul's book Voltaire's Bastards.
- He even wrote a college essay titled "Babouf's Bastards" about the French Revolution.
Post-Cold War Neoliberalism
- Neoliberals faced a "what now?" moment after the Cold War's end, leading to internal debates and new propositions.
- This period was intellectually productive, exploring new enemies and human nature's role in market societies.
New Fusionism
- The "new fusionism" of the 90s combined neoliberal policies with scientism, justifying hierarchy using biology.
- This marked a shift from earlier neoliberalism and fueled the resurgence of ideas about race, IQ, and genetics.
