Politics Theory Other Excerpt - Richard Seymour responds to listener questions
Nov 22, 2025
In this discussion, political writer Richard Seymour dives into the murky waters of contemporary politics. He provocatively claims that the bourgeois state is borrowing fascist aesthetics to gain political leverage. Seymour elaborates on how this cynical mimicry paves the way for more authoritarian governance, raising questions about the implications for society. His insights challenge listeners to rethink the intersections of fashion, ideology, and power in today's political landscape.
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Refugee Policy Evokes Historical Violence
- Seymour claims policies like stripping refugees of jewellery intentionally echo Nazi practice rather than being accidental.
- He frames these moves as deliberate dressing up that helps pave the way for more extreme administrations.
State Adopts Fascist Aesthetics
- Richard Seymour argues that current state practices intentionally mimic fascist aesthetics and cruelty to gain political effect.
- He says this is cynical opportunism by the bourgeois state to borrow fascism's glamour and toughness.
Cynical Dressing Up For Political Gain
- He emphasizes the state's actions are not sincere but purely cynical and opportunistic.
- This cynicism includes adopting symbols and attitudes of fascism to achieve political ends.