Rev Left Radio [BEST OF] Aristocratic Radicalism: Nietzsche and the Politics of Reaction
4 snips
May 5, 2025 
Matt McManus, a Political Science lecturer at the University of Michigan and author of 'Nietzsche and the Politics of Reaction', sheds light on Friedrich Nietzsche’s misunderstood political philosophy. He challenges the alt-right's misappropriation and explores Nietzsche’s critiques of Christianity and nihilism. The conversation delves into the complexities of his ideas, examining how both the left and right have distorted his legacy. McManus emphasizes the importance of engaging with Nietzsche’s work to avoid reactionary traps while advocating for genuine social change.
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Nietzsche as Political Thinker
- Nietzsche was a profoundly political thinker proud of influencing great politics and wars.
- He envisioned a new aristocratic radicalism overturning modern egalitarianism.
Multiple Nihilisms After God
- Nietzsche warned about multiple nihilisms after the death of God, including passive hedonism and political nihilism.
- He saw modern egalitarian ideologies like socialism as secular offspring of Christianity's nihilism.
Nietzsche's Critique of Capitalism
- Nietzsche condemned capitalism for pandering to masses and promoting vulgar consumption.
- He criticized bourgeois culture and last men who obsess over health to maximize pleasure.
