175: Diagonalism (w/William Callison and Quinn Slobodian)
Oct 12, 2023
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Guests William Callison and Quinn Slobodian discuss the concept of diagonalism, highlighting its relevance in understanding conspiracy theories and alternative political movements. They explore the impact of the pandemic on livelihoods and political reactions, as well as the technological underpinnings of diagonalism. The speakers also delve into the contradiction of technology and control, and the connections between diagonalism and various political ideologies.
Diagonalism challenges conventional political labels by blending spirituality, individual liberties, and a belief that all power is a conspiracy.
Diagonalist movements, like Kordenken in Germany, embody a blend of left and right views with an emphasis on radicalized centrism.
Diagonalism grapples with the contradiction of relying on digital platforms that undermine its ideals of true freedom and unmediated lives.
Deep dives
Diagonalism: A Blend of Holism, Individual Liberties, and Cynicism towards Parliamentary Politics
Diagonalism, born in part from technological transformations, contests conventional labels of left and right. While leaning towards far-right beliefs and expressing ambivalence towards parliamentary politics, it combines convictions about holism and spirituality with a steadfast focus on individual liberties. Diagonalists believe that all power is a conspiracy and view public power as illegitimate due to the perception of controlled governmental processes.
RFK Jr. and the Lure of German Ideals
RFK Jr., an American figure known for his political affiliations within the Democratic Party, was a speaker at an anti-lockdown event in Berlin. The event was part of a German movement called Kordenken, labeled by some as neo-Nazi. However, associating Kordenken solely with neo-Nazis oversimplifies the movement and fails to capture its complexities. RFK Jr. embodies the characteristics of a diagonalist figure, with mutable positions that blend left and right views, conveying a sense of radicalized centrism.
The Intersection of Diagonalism and Technological Communication
Diagonalism has its roots in technology and communication, with diagonalists challenging traditional political labels. They express a holistic and back-to-nature appeal, blending spirituality with a discourse of individual liberties and cynicism towards parliamentary politics. This ideology shares similarities with the Californian ideology, which promoted decentralization and individual freedom through emerging digital tools. However, diagonalists must grapple with the contradiction of relying on platforms that undermine their ideals of true freedom and unmediated lives.
Power Struggles and Destabilized Truth Claims
At the extreme end, diagonal movements hold the conviction that all power is a conspiracy and view public power as inherently illegitimate. They argue that the process of choosing governments is controlled by the powerful, rendering it illegitimate. By destabilizing truth claims and delegitimizing institutions, diagonalists seek to dismantle established sources of power and replace them with their own notions of individual autonomy and freedom.
The Mutation into Extreme Discourses and Alliances
The podcast discusses the mutation of diagonalist movements into ever more extreme discourses and alliances. One worrisome transformation is the shift from anti-lockdown politics to anti-climate politics, which can disrupt climate action. The rise of far-right populism, including the Alternative for Germany party, highlights the pooling of energy and support around anti-establishment sentiments. The failure of mainstream parties to address the intersecting issues of class, risk, and economic hardship has fueled the appeal of these movements. Concerns about downward mobility and the need for state investment must be addressed by the political left.
The Challenging Response of Politicians and Public Institutions
The podcast explores the response of politicians and public institutions to diagonalist actors. Angela Merkel's attempt to label them as mentally ill by invoking the Enlightenment backfired, as they embraced the stigma as proof of mainstream censorship. Political responses must understand the self-perception and motivations of these movements. Mistrust in public institutions, growing acceptance of extreme right-wing views, and feelings of powerlessness pose challenges to mainstream politics. The failure to address material conditions and address fears of downward mobility further strengthens the appeal of diagonalism.
Quinn Slobodian teaches Modern German History at Wellesley and William Callison teaches Political Theory and Human Geography at Uppsala. We first came across their work via Naomi Klein’s examination of the clusterf&cked politics that dominate the movements we cover. We dug out their paper, and they had us at this:
"At the extreme end, diagonal movements share a conviction that all power is conspiracy."
There no clear left-right polarity in conspirituality. And Horseshoe Theory won’t cut it. We’re in the age of Diagonalism, and things are very, very weird.
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