How To Academy Podcast Quinn Slobodian - The Neoliberal Roots of the Populist Right
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Jun 6, 2025 
Quinn Slobodian, a Boston University professor and author of "Hayek's Bastards," delves into the complex interplay between neoliberalism and right-wing populism. He uncovers how neoliberal thinkers co-opted scientific language to strengthen market ideals while reinforcing social hierarchies. The conversation explores the historical evolution of neoliberal thought, its alliance with populism, and the radical political shifts of the late 20th century. Slobodian also critiques the entwinement of neoliberalism with contemporary movements and highlights the adaptability of its ideology within modern politics.
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Neoliberal Roots of Populist Right
- The populist right's rise is rooted in neoliberal intellectual circles, not merely a rejection of neoliberalism.
- Key figures around Trump and Brexit often emerged from neoliberal milieus, challenging common narratives of opposition.
Neoliberals' Post-Cold War Enemy
- After the Cold War, neoliberals feared a new enemy: progressive politics adopting civil rights, feminism, and environmentalism.
- The 1990s fight shifted from communism to resisting 'wokeism' infiltrating institutions and international bodies.
Science Used to Justify Hierarchies
- Neoliberals in the 1990s fused free-market ideas with evolutionary biology and genetics to justify social hierarchies.
- This 'scientization' of market ideology helped rationalize racial and cultural hierarchies under the guise of science.
