To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes Jonathan Rauch: The Rise of the Woke Right
13 snips
Sep 11, 2025 
Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and contributor to The Atlantic, joins for a provocative discussion. He dives into the alarming rise of political violence and how narrative is overtaking truth on the right. Rauch critiques the close ties between Christianity and the Republican Party, revealing the dangers of patrimonialism. He also discusses the prospect for Democrats to craft a compelling message on prosperity to counter the GOP's influence. The conversation is both insightful and timely.
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Rhetoric To Real Violence
- Political violence is escalating and transforms rhetoric into real danger, as illustrated by the Charlie Kirk shooting.
- Charlie Sykes and Rauch both warn that online norm disintegration can bleed into offline violence.
Norm Decay Fuels Violence
- America has long been violent, but norms have waxed and waned; current trends suggest a worsening period.
- Rauch worries online incivility may be seeping into offline behavior, increasing real-world danger.
Truth As A Tool Of Power
- The postmodern right treats truth as a tool of power and prioritizes winning narratives over factual accuracy.
- Jonathan Rauch argues this makes them effective at seizing power but weak at governing once exposed.
