Sohrab Ahmari, author of "Tyranny, Inc." and co-founder of Compact Magazine, brings his conservative yet democratic socialist perspective to the table. He discusses the Republican Party’s trajectory post-Trump and the potential for new political coalitions. Ahmari critiques how cultural manipulation distracts from economic tyranny, emphasizing the urgent need to address worker rights and economic disparities. The conversation delves into the tensions between neoliberalism, freedom, and the potential for a more equitable political landscape.
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Ahmari's Intellectual Evolution
Sohrab Ahmari's intellectual journey spans from atheism and Marxism to Catholicism and the American right.
He was born in Iran, became an atheist, then a Marxist, and later converted to Catholicism in his 30s.
insights INSIGHT
Unexpected Agreement
Sean Illing, a self-described democratic socialist, found himself agreeing with much of Ahmari's book, "Tyranny, Inc."
He was surprised by this, finding it an unusual experience.
insights INSIGHT
Faux Populism on the Right
Illing observes a genuine concern for the working class in Ahmari's book, which he finds lacking in most conservatives.
He questions why there's so much superficial populism on the right.
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American Capitalism; The Concept of Countervailing Power
John Kenneth Galbraith
In 'American Capitalism: The Concept of Countervailing Power', John Kenneth Galbraith critiques the idea that markets naturally achieve optimal outcomes. He argues that countervailing power, such as unions and government regulation, is necessary to balance the influence of large corporations and prevent exploitation. The book explores how these forces operate at both micro and macro levels to stabilize the economy.
Thus Spoke Zarathustra
Friedrich Nietzsche
Thomas Common
The book details Zarathustra's descent from his mountain solitude to share his transformative ideas about humanity and existence. Nietzsche explores themes such as the rejection of traditional moral values, individualism, and the concept of the Overman. Zarathustra's interactions with various characters reveal his struggle to articulate his vision and confront prevailing societal values. The book also delves into the existential test of the eternal recurrence of the same and the importance of self-overcoming and personal transformation[2][4][5].
Tyranny, Inc.
How Private Power Crushed American Liberty--and What to Do About It
Sohrab Ahmari
In 'Tyranny, Inc.', Sohrab Ahmari presents a detailed critique of neoliberal capitalism, arguing that private corporations have become a significant threat to American liberty. The book explores various examples of corporate abuse, including the misuse of arbitration agreements, predatory practices by private equity firms, and the manipulation of working conditions. Ahmari argues that these practices are a result of the neoliberal vision that has dominated economic and political discourse since the 1970s, and he proposes that a more integrated approach between economy and politics is necessary to address these issues.
What will American politics look like after Trump? Sean Illing is joined by Sohrab Ahmari to discuss his new book, Tyranny, Inc. Ahmari is one of the conservative intellectuals trying to map out a post-Trump future for the Republican Party, and his book is an attempt to justify a form of democratic socialism from the right. The two discuss whether his vision could ever be the basis for a broader coalition.
Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area
Guest: Sohrab Ahmari (@SohrabAhmari), author, Tyranny, Inc.
References:
Tyranny, Inc. by Sohrab Ahmari (Penguin Random House, 2023)
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
