A Conservative Critique Of Capitalism, With Patrick Deneen
Sep 21, 2023
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Renowned political philosopher Patrick Deneen joins hosts Bethany and Luigi to discuss his proposed 'Regime Change' and its implications for capitalism. They explore political ideologies, compare Hungary's Orban government to the US, delve into justice and progress, critique capitalism, and consider alternative ideas to prioritize non-economic values.
Resisting market logic and questioning the merits of capitalism, the podcast explores the need for external judgment and restraint in economic changes.
Highlighting the complexities of pursuing justice and progress, the episode emphasizes the importance of considering values beyond material equality.
Advocating for a mindset that encourages ideals of reverence and recognition of a spiritual dimension, the conversation underscores the importance of discussing spirituality as a publicly recognized value.
Deep dives
Resisting Market Logic and Examining Capitalism
The podcast episode emphasizes the need to resist market logic and questions the merits of capitalism. It challenges the notion that all economic changes are inherently good or necessary, suggesting a need for external judgment and restraint. While acknowledging the difficulties in providing a viable alternative to capitalism, the episode explores different perspectives, including those of Patrick D'Nene, who advocates for a post-liberal order built on the common good conservatism. The conversation delves into the distinction between those who favor the elite (labeled as liberals) and those who favor the people, a combination of Marxists and conservatives. It also discusses the importance of balancing economic inequality and resisting the market's infiltration into all aspects of life.
Justice, Progress, and Economic Alternatives
The episode delves into the distinction between justice and progress, highlighting the complexities of pursuing both aims. It questions the idea that progress automatically leads to justice, emphasizing the need to consider values beyond material equality. While recognizing the importance of economic alternatives, the episode acknowledges the limitations of the guest's expertise in crafting economic policy. However, it highlights proposals such as developing an industrial policy to promote domestic manufacturing and strengthening private sector unions as means of addressing inequality and fostering a robust working class.
Religious Influence and Public Life
The conversation explores the role of religion in public life and the tension between secularism and religious freedom. The guest advocates for a mindset that encourages ideals of reverence, thanksgiving, and the recognition of a spiritual dimension in public life. While stopping short of advocating for an established religion, the episode suggests the need to be open to discussing spirituality as a publicly recognized value. It touches on the importance of preserving holidays and sacred time to foster a culture that respects spiritual considerations alongside economic and material ones.
Challenges of Inequality and Ordinary People
The discussion delves into the challenges of inequality and the need to address the interests of ordinary people. It examines the impact of economic progress and globalization on various social groups. The guest raises concerns about the loss of economic opportunities for the working and middle classes, highlighting the importance of considering the cost of transitioning to new economic systems. The conversation also critiques the tendency of political rhetoric to oversimplify the desires and values of ordinary people, stressing the need for a nuanced understanding of diverse perspectives.
Mixed Regime and the Importance of Political Balance
The episode explores the concept of a mixed regime and the significance of striking a political balance between different sources of power. It draws on historical perspectives to highlight the advantages of sharing power and preventing the concentration of authority. The conversation raises questions about the erosion of checks and balances due to the influence of money and politics. It suggests the need to reassess the contemporary political landscape and strive for a system that promotes political equality while considering economic alternatives.
In his new book, Regime Change: Toward a Postliberal Future, renowned political philosopher Patrick Deneen argues that the liberal ideology that has shaped capitalism for centuries has also failed to deliver on its promises of freedom, equality, and prosperity. Is he able to offer a compelling alternative that serves the interests of the common good over those of wealthy elites?
Deneen, whose previous book "Why Liberalism Failed" was acclaimed by the likes of former U.S. President Obama, joins Bethany and Luigi to discuss his proposed 'Regime Change' and its implications for capitalism and the market economy. Can his vision of a postliberal future offer a more just and sustainable economic system, one that addresses the pressing challenges of our time? Can we have progress without progressivism?
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