JD Vance, Project 2025, and How the Right Got Weird
Aug 4, 2024
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Laura K. Field, a political theorist and researcher recently featured in POLITICO, dives into the bizarre evolution of Republican rhetoric. She discusses JD Vance's radicalization and the emergence of the New Right, highlighting how GOP views have shifted from fear to absurdity. Field unpacks the ideology of integralism and its threat to democracy, stressing the need for counteractions against growing extremist influences. She also reflects on political alliances, identity politics, and their role in shaping the current political landscape.
The emergence of the New Right is fundamentally shaping Republican rhetoric, shifting it towards more radical and exclusionary viewpoints.
JD Vance exemplifies the GOP's evolving identity crisis, representing a departure from traditional conservatism toward a more reactionary ideology.
Gender ideology has become central to New Right discourse, revealing anti-feminist sentiments and a push for reinforcing patriarchal family structures.
Deep dives
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The Evolution of the Republican Party
The discussion explores the radicalization within the Republican Party, focusing on figures like J.D. Vance and the rise of the New Right. Vance's statements on non-traditional lifestyles and his engagement with reactionary conservatism illustrate a broader shift in the GOP toward more extreme viewpoints that diverge significantly from earlier conservative factions. Researchers suggest that this trend connects to an intellectual lineage that prioritizes a more exclusionary, isolationist form of conservatism rather than the historical fusion of economic and social conservatism. The ongoing evolution indicates a party struggling with its identity and possibly alienating a segment of the electorate.
Political Philosophy Behind GOP's Shift
The New Right's ideology represents a clear departure from the established norms of conservatism, opting for a more reactionary and radical approach. This ideological shift includes a strong anti-liberal stance, embracing ideas of economic nationalism and traditional social values. The speakers argue that the New Right's members perceive the current socio-political landscape as a crisis, prompting a push for aggressive measures to reclaim their vision of America. This underscores a reaction not only to the political opposition but also to broader societal changes over recent decades.
Gender Ideology and Its Implications
Gender ideology has become a focal point for many New Right thinkers, reflecting deep-seated anti-feminist sentiments intertwined with their political philosophy. Comments made by J.D. Vance, particularly regarding individuals without children, highlight an emerging narrative that seeks to undermine the legitimacy of diverse family structures. This ideological framework posits traditional families as the backbone of society while framing deviations from this norm as threats to cultural stability. Consequently, these views suggest a desire to reinforce patriarchal structures at the expense of progressive values and greater inclusivity.
Trump's Relationship with the New Right
Donald Trump's association with the New Right, especially figures like J.D. Vance, represents a significant confluence of populism and radical conservatism. While Trump often appears to lack a coherent ideological framework, he serves as a conduit for the New Right's agenda, utilizing populist rhetoric to gain support. The strategic choice of Vance as a potential running mate signals a commitment to uphold and promote New Right principles, regardless of their wider acceptance among the electorate. This dynamic presents a dual challenge for the GOP, attempting to balance party cohesion while confronting external perceptions of their increasingly radical views.
All of a sudden, nearly every Democrat in the country has started calling out Republicans for being really damn weird. And with JD Vance’s pronatalist views and Trump’s insistence that Kamala Harris isn’t actually Black, the GOP isn’t beating the allegations. When did Republican rhetoric go from fear-inducing, to groan-inducing? Jon is joined by Laura K. Field, a researcher and political theorist who recently published a piece in POLITICO on the topic, and who is writing a book about the evolution of the Republican party. She breaks down why GOP weirdness is tied to the emergence of the “New Right,” how JD Vance exemplifies this moment, and how to prevent the movement from capturing more power in American politics.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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