Is the "Woke Right" Really Woke? | OnlySubs with James Lindsay, Ep. 142
Nov 22, 2024
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The discussion investigates the controversial emergence of the 'Woke Right,' merging ultra-conservative beliefs with leftist tactics. It critiques this faction's performative conservatism and conspiratorial mindset. The podcast also explores the ideological tapestry of Protestantism and its influence on the new Christian right. A significant focus is on the historical context driving these changes and how contemporary identity politics and critical race theory challenge traditional conservative values, leading to complex power dynamics.
The 'Woke Right' adopts progressive rhetoric while maintaining conservative values, reflecting a complex shift within ultra-conservatism.
This group distinguishes itself from classical conservatism by rejecting liberalism outright, marking a radical departure from traditional conservative thought.
Key figures within the Woke Right use platforms like American Reformer to articulate grievances against established political structures and promote a renewed conservative identity.
Deep dives
The Concept of the Woke Right
The term 'woke right' refers to a faction within ultra-conservatism that adopts progressive or leftist rhetoric and strategies while maintaining traditional conservative values. This phenomenon is characterized by individuals who perceive themselves as victims of a grand conspiracy tied to liberalism and often exhibit a rejection of classical liberalism principles. They typically believe that communism is the logical endpoint of liberalism and that the societal structures serve to suppress their values and identity. Through this lens, members of the woke right see their actions as a form of resistance against a pervasive ideological hegemony that they believe marginalizes their perspectives.
Woke Right and Traditional Conservatism
There is a fundamental distinction between the woke right and classical conservatism. While traditional conservatives often focus on preserving classic liberal values and principles, the woke right is more inclined toward a reactionary stance that actively opposes liberal ideology altogether. This group may reference historical figures or philosophies, including those with authoritarian leanings, to justify their trajectory. As a result, the woke right can be viewed as a departure from mainstream conservative thought, embodying a more radical and ideologically rigid worldview.
American Reformer and Its Influences
The American Reformer publication serves as a primary platform for many voices within the woke right, including contributors who challenge modern conservatism's prevailing narratives. It has been founded by individuals who have ties to evangelical and traditionalist movements, presenting a distinct ideological framework that promotes a reinterpretation of American identity. The outlet engages with historical perspectives on conservatism, aiming to establish a renewed sense of culture and legitimacy for a vision of America that diverges significantly from accepted liberal norms. Through this medium, key figures articulate their grievances against established political structures while promoting an idea of a unified conservative identity.
Critique of Post-War Liberal Consensus
A central theme among the woke right is a critique of the post-war liberal consensus, which they argue has led to a diminishment of their values and identity within American society. This view posits that the liberal establishment has created a false narrative of American democracy that privileges certain identities while suppressing conservative viewpoints. They assert that post-World War II changes have institutionalized an ideological bias, fundamentally altering the landscape of political discourse. This discontent drives a narrative emphasizing that true conservatism has been marginalized and must be reasserted to counter what they perceive as a left-driven hegemony.
The Emergence of an Anti-Liberal Right
The emergence of a so-called 'true right' aligns with an overarching anti-liberal sentiment that seeks to reclaim political discourse from traditional liberal frameworks. Advocates of this view argue that the right must adopt a more aggressive stance against the left, framing their struggle as a necessary counterattack against encroaching liberal ideologies. This movement draws heavily on a romanticized past, idealizing a version of America that champions ethnic and cultural homogeneity as essential to its identity. Ultimately, this perspective presents a political dichotomy where both the left and the right reject liberalism, advocating for a renewed and often authoritarian vision of governance that favors those they believe have historically been overlooked.
