ReImagining Liberty 088: An Introduction to Anti-Liberal Ideologies (w/ Matt McManus)
Sep 1, 2025
Matt McManus, an Assistant Professor at Spelman College and author specializing in political theory, dives deep into the evolving landscape of right-wing ideologies. He discusses the shift from traditional conservatism to extremist movements like Trumpism, highlighting the rise of figures like Bronze Age Pervert. The allure of anti-liberal ideologies among young men is examined, reflecting a yearning for identity and status. McManus critiques liberalism's failures and advocates for a reimagining of its principles to combat rising authoritarianism.
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Marginal Right Ideas Became Mainstream
- The American right contains long-standing illiberal currents that were once marginal but have moved mainstream.
- These latent streams predate Trump and help explain contemporary ideological shifts on the right.
Buchanan And Francis Prefigured Trump Themes
- Pat Buchanan and Samuel Francis promoted anxieties about demographic decline and white nationalism decades before Trump.
- Their once-marginal writings anticipated themes that later entered mainstream right-wing politics.
Respectable Illiberalism From Academics
- Contemporary illiberal thinkers include academic figures like Vermeule, Deneen, and Hazony who reject liberalism while courting respectability.
- They often argue democracy can remain but liberal protections should be removed or subordinated.
