A fascinating discussion unfolds with Quinn Slobodian about the connections between neoliberalism and the populist right. The conversation critiques modern political dynamics, highlighting intriguing insights about the impact of AI on job markets. They dive into the paradoxes of state capacity amid fintech's rise, while exploring historical accountability post-Holocaust. The guests reflect on urban disconnection and the narrative distortions by elites, ultimately examining how technological ambitions shape society's dystopian landscape.
Quinn Slobodian's analysis links neoliberal ideology and populism, revealing it as a complex reconfiguration of elite power dynamics rather than a simple backlash.
The podcast critiques the shift towards privatized security models, emphasizing how it alters state-capital relations and raises accountability concerns.
A significant focus is on the dangerous resurgence of race science in capitalist contexts, which rationalizes socio-economic hierarchies and exclusionary practices.
Deep dives
Exploring Neoliberalism and Populism
The discussion focuses on the interconnectedness of neoliberal ideology and the rise of populism, as articulated in Quinn Slobodian's book. It emphasizes that this alignment is not merely a reactionary force against elites but reflects deeper clashes between contrasting factions within capitalism itself. The podcast delves into the idea that what has been often seen as a populist backlash is, in fact, a reconfiguration of elite power dynamics, highlighting ethno-nationalist tendencies present in modern right-wing movements. This perspective situates current political movements within a broader historical context, illustrating the ongoing struggle over the direction and governance of capitalism.
The Role of Intelligence and Surveillance
There is a critical analysis of the role of intelligence agencies, particularly the CIA, and the move towards a more privatized model of security. The podcast discusses the implications of the CIA's reported mass firings and its shift towards a militia-like structure, noting that this reflects a broader trend of dismantling state capacity in favor of private, market-driven solutions. The guest highlights that this transformation is not merely about reducing the public sector but aims to fundamentally alter the relationship between the state and capital. This shift raises questions about accountability, oversight, and the motives behind privatizing governmental functions tied to security.
AI, Work, and the Future of Employment
A significant part of the conversation revolves around the implications of artificial intelligence and automation on employment, particularly as illustrated through the case of Klarna. The fintech company has laid off staff while simultaneously advocating that AI could fulfill most roles, raising concerns about the diminishing value of human labor. The discussion critiques the CEO's sudden change in rhetoric, emphasizing how the narrative around human employees reflects a broader discomfort within the corporate world about the devaluation of labor. This shift in perception suggests a future where individuals' worth may be quantified solely based on their economic productivity as defined by evolving technologies.
Linking Race Science and Digital Economies
The podcast highlights the dangerous intersection of race science, high IQ theories, and digital capitalist economies. It discusses how contemporary dialogues, particularly among right-wing ideologues, are increasingly leaning on pseudo-scientific claims about intelligence to justify socio-economic hierarchies. This reemerging fixation mirrors past notions of eugenics and has found a platform within tech spaces where such ideas are inadvertently legitimized. The dialogue asserts that these narratives serve to rationalize exclusionary practices in capitalism and create a foundation for a social order based on purported intellectual elite status.
The Future of Governance and Oligarchic Control
A major theme explored is the call for a restructuring of governance to align with oligarchic interests under the guise of efficiency and innovation. The podcast critiques the ideology promoting the idea that government functions should emulate business practices, arguing that this perspective ultimately prioritizes corporate interests over citizen welfare. It draws attention to how figures like Alex Karp advocate for replacing traditional state functions with privatized, tech-driven approaches under the banner of progress. This notion not only risks eroding democratic oversight but also consolidates power among a select few, highlighting the inherent contradictions within the market-driven governance model.
Quinn Slobodian joins us to discuss his new book, Hayek’s Bastards (subtitle subtitle) - which traces the syncretic relationship of scientific racism, techno-solutionism, and the quest to destroy the cathedral to Neoliberalism’s crisis of mission in the 1990s.