Behind the News: Race and Neoliberalism w/ Quinn Slobodian
Apr 21, 2025
53:01
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Quick takeaways
The second generation of neoliberals, unlike their predecessors, increasingly embrace racist ideologies and social hierarchies, leading to a departure from original ideals.
The fixation on 'hard money' like gold reflects a broader anxiety within the right about economic instability and aligns with emerging nativist sentiments.
Deep dives
The Legacy of Neoliberalism
The podcast discusses the evolution of neoliberalism, tracing its roots back to the 1947 Mont Pelerin Society where early neoliberals aimed to combat perceived encroachments of socialism on individual freedoms. The initial generation was deeply intellectual, albeit supportive of authoritarian regimes that facilitated capitalist interests. In contrast, the second generation, represented by figures like Charles Murray and Peter Brimelow, has shifted towards a more disreputable ideology, openly embracing racial and social hierarchies. This shift marks a departure from the original neoliberal ideals, leading to a generation that is viewed as less intellectually rigorous and politically more odious.
The Response to Victory and Fear of Change
The discussion highlights the strange paradox faced by the second generation of neoliberals following the apparent victory against communism with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Rather than embracing a newfound freedom, they sought out new enemies and concerns, reflecting a sense of paranoia about the enduring presence of state spending and rising progressive ideologies. Influential figures like Milton Friedman expressed concerns about the continuation of government influence, perceiving any scope of social support as threats to their ideals of liberty. This complex interplay of victory and anxiety led to an obsessive focus on perceived encroachments by environmentalism and social justice, which they equated with an infringement on personal freedoms.
The Return of Biological and Racial Arguments
The podcast examines how the contemporary right has increasingly turned to biological determinism to justify their political ideologies, tapping into evolutionary psychology to explain social hierarchies. Key figures like Rothbard and Murray advocate for the idea that innate racial differences underpin societal structures and economic productivity. This embracing of scientific racism serves not only to rationalize exclusionary policies but also to forge bonds among like-minded individuals, uniting the far-right under a shared vision of racial and cultural superiority. The disturbing partnership of economic libertarianism with archaic social beliefs signifies a troubling trajectory in contemporary political discourse.
Financial Frameworks and Apocalyptic Visions
The discussion delves into the ideological underpinnings of financial systems, particularly the advocacy for 'hard money' like gold in the neoliberal agenda. Gold symbolizes tangible wealth and security amidst fears of economic instability, serving as both a financial asset and a political rallying point for its devotees. Connections are drawn between gold's appeal and its resurgence in far-right movements, revealing a landscape where financial speculation aligns with emergent nativist sentiments. This obsession with materiality reflects a broader anxiety about the future, as many on the right seek refuge in physical assets while grappling with an increasingly intangible financial world marked by cryptocurrencies and digital exchanges.
Quinn Slobodian, author of Hayek’s Bastards, talks about the IQ- and race-obsessed goldbugs of second generation neoliberalism.
Behind the News, hosted by Doug Henwood, covers the worlds of economics and politics and their complex interactions, from the local to the global. Find the archive online: https://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/radio.html
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