Historian Matthew Dallek discusses the radicalization of the American right, connecting the John Birch Society to figures like Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Donald Trump. The podcast explores the origins of the Society, the evolution of conservatism, and the impact of conspiracy theories on the right-wing movement. It also delves into the connection between the theory of evolution, abortion, and the conservative movement, and raises concerns about the future of the Republic and the potential for a civil war.
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Quick takeaways
The extreme beliefs of the John Birch Society, including their opposition to racial and gender equality, played a significant role in reshaping American conservatism and attracting affluent voters to the GOP.
Conservative politicians face the challenge of appealing to far-right voters without alienating the mainstream electorate, resulting in a tension that has shaped the conservative Republican coalition and led to the dominance of the far right within the Republican Party.
Deep dives
The Birther Society: A Movement Rooted in Anti-Communism
The John Birch Society, founded by Robert Welch, was a movement driven by the belief that communism had infiltrated American society and institutions. They saw a vast communist conspiracy and believed that American politicians, including Eisenhower and Warren, were part of this plot. They viewed integration as a communist imposition and argued against civil rights as a Kremlin-directed movement. The society tied its opposition to issues like race, immigration, foreign policy, war, abortion, and religion to their overarching anti-communist stance. They attracted members by offering action against the perceived communist threat and created an atmosphere of apocalyptic, anti-elite rhetoric.
Conservative leaders' approach to far-right conspiracy theories
Conservative politicians face a dilemma when dealing with far-right conspiracy theories. They need to appeal to voters on the far right without alienating the mainstream electorate. This tension is exemplified by how politicians like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush navigated their campaigns. They attempted to appeal to elements of the far right during their campaigns, such as speaking at Bob Jones University, but also had to govern in a way that incorporated more mainstream policies and compromise. While they may have made efforts to appeal to the far right, their governance on critical issues often frustrated those on the fringe. The tensions between the mainstream conservatives and the far right have continued to shape the conservative Republican coalition. As the far right gained more power over the years, they cannibalized the party and now dominate the Republican Party.
The role of religion and moral values in conservative politics
The influence of religion and moral values has been a significant factor in conservative politics. The rise of the Moral Majority and figures like Jerry Falwell in the 1980s highlighted the importance of issues such as abortion and evolution. The motivations behind opposition to abortion are multifaceted, ranging from religious beliefs to concerns about the degradation of society. Republican politicians, including Ronald Reagan, recognized the potential power of these issues and sought to capitalize on the energy within the evangelical movement. However, the definition of freedom and the identification of key issues within the conservative coalition have varied. It is challenging for conservatives to maintain consistency in their principles when it comes to issues like reproductive rights, gun control, and limited government. This tension continues to shape the battle of ideas within conservative politics.
At the height of the John Birch Society’s activity in the 1960s, critics dismissed its members as a paranoid fringe. After all, “Birchers” believed that a vast communist conspiracy existed in America and posed an existential threat to Christianity, capitalism, and freedom. But as historian Matthew Dallek reveals, the Birch Society’s extremism remade American conservatism. Most Birchers were white professionals who were radicalized as growing calls for racial and gender equality appeared to upend American life. Conservative leaders recognized that these affluent voters were needed to win elections, and for decades the GOP courted Birchers and their extremist successors.
Shermer and Dallek discuss: the origin of the John Birch Society • the “right,” “conservatism,” “liberalism” • “mainstream” vs. “fringe” • Cold War context for the rise of the radical right • the link between the John Birch Society and figures like Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Glenn Beck, Alex Jones, Ron Paul, Rand Paul, and Donald Trump • America First nationalism, school board wars, QAnon plots, allegations of electoral cheating • and the future of the Republic (if we can keep it).
Matthew Dallek is a political historian whose intellectual interests include the intersection of social crises and political transformation, the evolution of the modern conservative movement, and liberalism and its critics. Dallek has authored four books which appeared on the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune’s annual best-of lists. His latest is Birchers: How the John Birch Society Radicalized the American Right.
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