"The Rise of the Radical Left" with Christopher Rufo
Sep 15, 2023
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Christopher Rufo, a political activist and filmmaker, discusses topics such as the influence of Herbert Marcuse on critical theory, left-wing admiration for Mao and Stalin, the teaching of CRT in public schools, and the impact of the collapse of the Soviet Union on the Western left. They also explore the correlation between the rise in homicide rate and the movement against the police, the relationship between Marxism and critical race theory, and the frustrating aspects of the CRT debate.
The podcast explores the influence of Herbert Marcuse and critical theory on the development of left-wing ideologies in the US.
The episode discusses the tactics and impact of the weather underground, a revolutionary organization influenced by Marcuse, in their pursuit of a cultural revolution through infiltrating existing institutions.
The podcast delves into the relationship between Marxism and critical theory, highlighting their impact on societal values, debates over freedom of speech, and the role of public institutions.
Deep dives
The Influence of Marcuse and Critical Theory
This podcast episode explores the influence of the German philosopher Herbert Marcuse and critical theory on the development of left-wing ideologies in the United States. Marcuse, who was a prominent figure in critical theory, sought to adapt Marxist ideas to the conditions of Western societies, particularly the United States. He believed that the traditional Marxist goal of a proletarian revolution was not achievable in the US due to the relative contentment of the middle class. Instead, he focused on a strategy of cultural revolution, aiming to transform society through the domains and transmission of culture. The episode delves into the intellectual and practical impact of Marcuse's ideas, tracing their influence on movements such as critical race theory, intersectionality, and the modern radical left. It sheds light on the transmission of these ideas across generations and their role in shaping contemporary political and academic landscapes.
The Weather Underground and the Shift to Non-Violent Strategies
The podcast also examines the weather underground, a revolutionary organization that emerged from the student movements of the 1960s. Inspired by Marcuse and other left-wing intellectuals, the group initially aimed to achieve revolution through violent means, such as bombing government buildings. However, by the mid-1970s, they had become disillusioned with their violent approach and shifted their strategy towards a cultural revolution through infiltrating and influencing existing institutions. This shift, mirroring Marcuse's ideas, resulted in their attempts to pass their ideologies into universities, K-12 education systems, and mass media. The episode explores the tactics and impact of the weather underground, highlighting the challenges they faced and the lessons learned from their failed violent revolution.
The Relationship between Marxism and Critical Theory
Lastly, the podcast delves into the relationship between Marxism and critical theory. Critical theory can be seen as an evolution of Marxism, incorporating self-criticism and adapting to modern Western conditions. While Marxism emphasizes the proletarian revolution and seizing control of the means of production, critical theory, as influenced by Marcuse, focused on the cultural domain and transforming society through cultural means. The episode discusses how critical theory became the dominant intellectual framework within academic institutions, influencing various disciplines and becoming the default spirit of academia. It raises questions about the interpretations and practical applications of Marxism and critical theory, highlighting their impact on societal values, debates over freedom of speech, and the role of public institutions.
Marcuse's insights on orthodox Marxism and the dark side of capitalism
One of Marcuse's brilliant insights was his recognition of the flaws in orthodox Marxism and the Soviet Union. He also saw the dark side of capitalist abundance, understanding how mass affluence can lead to a loss of consciousness, creativity, and high culture. Marcuse remained an advocate for Western high culture and philosophy, making him a penetrating advocate for these values. As a serious scholar of Marx, Kant, Hegel, and other great minds, Marcuse fought for certain insights and a spirit of utopianism, which attracted many in the upheavals of the 1960s.
The allure and limitations of Marx's promise of equality
Marxism, critical theory, and critical race theory promise a utopian world of equality, eliminating envy, inferiority, and pity. This promise, of living in a communal family-like society, where everyone is equal, is deeply appealing to many. However, it is hindered by aspects of human nature and the inability of societies to achieve such ideal arrangements. Additionally, the long march of Marxism and the disappointments of various communist societies have shown that communist practices often result in oppression and tyranny. While wokeness may have peaked ideologically, it has consolidated institutionally, posing challenges for opposition and necessitating efforts to create change at an institutional level.
My guest today is Christopher Rufo. Christopher is a political activist and filmmaker known for his opposition to Critical Race Theory or CRT. He's a senior fellow and director of the Initiative on Critical Race Theory at the Manhattan Institute and he's the author of a new book called "America's Cultural Revolution: How the Radical Left Conquered Everything"
In this episode, we talk about the German philosopher Herbert Marcuse and the role he played in popularizing critical theory. We talk about the legacy of the weather underground. We talk about the admiration that left-wing intellectuals in the 20th century had for Mao and Stalin. We discuss the relationship between Critical Theory and Marxism. We talk about the psychological and emotional appeal of communism. We discuss the effect of the collapse of the Soviet Union on the Western left. We disagree somewhat about the legacy of McCarthyism. We talk about the political leanings of public school teachers today. We talk about the strengths and weaknesses of classical liberalism as a philosophy. We also go on to talk about the teaching of CRT in public schools and much more.
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