Stephanie Slade, senior editor at Reason, joins Jonah Goldberg to criticize Patrick Deneen's post-liberal vision for American society and the political right. They discuss the state of Catholicism, the Dobbs decision, and the divisive topic of immigration. They also analyze the rise of the 'new right' and its lack of intellectual depth, emphasizing the need for attention and action.
The influence and recognition of the new right movement within the conservative movement may be overestimated.
Patrick Deneen's book 'Regime Change' faces significant criticisms and lacks substantiation for its claims.
Engaging with and understanding the new right movement is important, but it is crucial to maintain perspective and accurately assess their potential impact.
Deep dives
The New Right and their Ideological Divisions
The new right movement consists of various factions, including post-liberals, neo-reactionaries, and national conservatives. While they aim to redefine conservatism, their influence and recognition within the conservative movement may be overestimated. A poll of politically engaged individuals would likely reveal minimal awareness of figures like Patrick Deneen, Adrian Vermeule, or their associated ideologies. However, as someone invested in conservative thought, it is important to stay engaged. The George Will argument suggests that committed ideological minorities can shape the world. Nevertheless, care must be taken to balance attention and avoid inadvertently elevating these ideas.
Deneen's Book and its Inconsistencies
Patrick Deneen's book, 'Regime Change,' presents a critique of liberalism and seeks to offer an alternative vision. However, the book faces numerous criticisms, including the lack of substantiation for claims. Deneen argues that both left liberals and right liberals (such as classical liberals and libertarians) are synonymous and monolithic. This assertion is refuted by the vast differences in ideologies and political beliefs. Another flaw in Deneen's argument is his claim that the masses are inherently deeply conservative economically but socially conservative. However, Deneen fails to provide evidence or support for this claim. Overall, the book's major claims crumble under scrutiny.
The Worries and Impact of the New Right
While the influence of the new right may not be significant in the broader political landscape, certain aspects raise concerns. The divisions within the new right, such as the tension between national conservatives and post-liberals, can create ideological rifts. Additionally, the appeal of figures like Patrick Deneen to aspiring Catholic priests and young law students raises concerns about the future of religious institutions and legal perspectives. Engaging with these movements is necessary to understand their ideas, but it is crucial to maintain perspective and accurately assess their potential impact.
The Importance of Persuasion and Cultural Pressure in Shaping Society
The podcast episode explores the idea that cultural institutions and non-governmental organizations play a crucial role in shaping the society we live in. By focusing on persuasion, social pressure, and market forces, individuals and groups can work towards promoting their values and influencing others without resorting to government coercion. The episode emphasizes the need for conservatives to engage in institution building and cultural change to counter what they perceive as a drift away from traditional values. The argument is made that engaging in these efforts, rather than seeking to seize control of the state, allows for a more organic and lasting impact on society.
Challenges in Implementing Ideological Alternatives Through Government Coercion
The podcast delves into the topic of whether it is justifiable to use the threat of coercion to enforce a specific ideological vision, particularly when it comes to issues related to religion, morality, and cultural norms. The discussion highlights the limitation and potential side effects of relying on government intervention to align institutions with a particular worldview. The podcast raises questions about the practicality and effectiveness of attempting to impose a post-liberal, illiberal democracy through government control. It presents an argument in favor of embracing the principles of liberty and virtue, promoting conservative principles through cultural means, and building non-governmental institutions rather than resorting to coercion.
Patrick Deneen has released a new book, and predictably, Jonah has some pointed opinions on it. To critique Deneen’s post-liberal vision for American society and the political right, Jonah is joined by a returning Stephanie Slade, senior editor at Reason and noted liberty-lover. With furious agreement and ornery hand-wringing, they take a deep dive into the strange world of the new right, analyzing how seriously we should take its vision for the conservative movement. They also provide a few thoughts on the state of Catholicism, what the Dobbs decision revealed about voters, and why nobody can agree about immigration.