7/19/23 Chris Rufo: Culture Wars, Ron DeSantis, Political Strategy
Jul 19, 2023
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In this engaging discussion, Chris Rufo, author of "America's Cultural Revolution," delves into the impact of radical left ideologies on American culture. He critiques critical race theory and its connections to modern political strategies, revealing how corporate interests intertwine with social movements. Rufo explores the historical evolution of race-related political tactics and advocates for sustainable job creation within communities. The conversation also navigates the complex dynamics of race, policing, and how these issues resonate through today’s society.
Critical race theory represents a convergence of different ideological strands and understanding its origins is crucial for critiquing and countering it.
Corporate America's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are often used as a strategy to prioritize economic interests while appearing committed to social justice publicly.
Deep dives
The Origins and Convergence of Critical Race Theory
The podcast episode explores the origins and development of critical race theory (CRT). The speaker highlights that CRT picks and chooses various ideological strands, such as critical theory, race-based ideology, and postmodernism, to form its intellectual foundation. CRT represents a convergence of different strands from the late 60s to the 90s and symbolizes both the culmination and dead end of this ideology. The podcast also emphasizes the importance of understanding the origins and development of CRT to provide a deeper critique and potential strategies for countering it.
The Transformation of Critical Race Theory and its Critics
The episode discusses how certain critics of critical race theory argue that it has become an empty form of professional class aestheticism, concerned more with manipulating social status within elite institutions rather than alleviating real miseries or governing a nation. The speaker draws attention to the disconnect between the original priorities of black revolutionaries like Angela Davis and contemporary critical race theorists who do not address the concerns of the black lumpen proletariat. This tension is further examined by contrasting the self-proclaimed Marxists of the past, who aimed at seizing the means of production, with modern Marxists who focus on language, symbols, and positions of prestige within the superstructure.
The Role of DEI Structures and Corporate America
The episode delves into the relationship between critical race theory and corporate America's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) structures. It suggests that major corporations use DEI initiatives as an outside-in strategy to appease potential opponents on the political left while securing favorable legislation through congressional Republicans. This strategy allows corporations to appear committed to social justice and racial equality publicly while prioritizing their economic interests behind the scenes. The episode also highlights the role of DEI structures in managing and appeasing social demands without necessarily addressing the structural inequalities that underlie societal issues.
Culture, Politics, and the Conquest of the Superstructure
The podcast episode presents a perspective on how the radical left has, in a sense, conquered the cultural sphere but not the economic structure of society. It argues that the left has prioritized occupying the superstructure, including education, science, media, and cultural institutions, to shape public opinion and disseminate its ideologies. This conquest of the cultural sphere is seen as more significant for some conservatives than traditional economic policies. The episode suggests that cultural issues, such as critical race theory and the cultural revolution, have far-reaching consequences for the transmission of values and shape societal debates.
Ryan and Emily are joined by Chris Rufo to have a long form discussion on his new book, the culture wars, Ron DeSantis, Political Strategy in the midterms and beyond.