Unraveling Christopher Lasch's Minimal Self with Elijah Emery
Jul 3, 2023
02:14:56
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Quick takeaways
Christopher Lasch's intellectual positions were complex and evolved over time, particularly in relation to communitarianism and the left tradition.
Lasch criticized American foreign policy and emphasized the changing battle lines between different classes in the United States.
Lasch's writing style evolved, with earlier works focusing on broad analyses while later works used profiles to support his arguments.
Lasch employed counter myth and myth-making in his works to challenge prevailing narratives of progress and liberal historiography.
Deep dives
Lash's Analysis of Christopher Lash and the Dual Legacy
In this podcast episode, the speaker delves into the dual legacy of Christopher Lash, focusing on his book 'Liberals in the Russian Revolution.' The speaker discusses how Lash's thoughts evolved over time, particularly in relation to communitarianism and the left tradition. They highlight Lash's ambivalence in choosing sides within the left tradition, and his exploration of the relationship between tradition and modernity. The speaker also mentions Lash's views on religion and his critique of the communitarian critique. Overall, the episode provides insights into Lash's complex and shifting intellectual positions.
Lash's Analysis of the Proletarian Class and FDR
The podcast explores Lash's analysis of the proletarian class in the United States and its relationship with FDR. The speaker highlights Lash's perspective on FDR as a consolidation of power for the old Brahman elite, rather than a true revolutionary figure. They discuss Lash's views on the necessity of accommodation with the Soviet Union and his belief in democratic socialism. The episode also touches on Lash's critique of American foreign policy and his perspective on the changing battle lines between different classes in the United States.
Lash's Exploration of Conceptual Arrangements and Intellectual Profiles
The podcast delves into Lash's writing style and its evolution over time. The speaker points out that Lash's early works, such as 'The World of Nations,' focused on exploring conceptual arrangements and providing broader analyses of history. In contrast, they describe 'The True and Only Heaven' and 'Revolt of the Elites' as more profile-based, with a focus on intellectual profiles and narrower examples. The episode highlights Lash's use of profiles in discussing figures, books, and ideas, and how they contribute to his overall argument.
Lash's Counter Myth and Myth Making
The podcast discusses Lash's approach of counter myth and myth making in his works. The speaker describes 'Agony of the American Left' as a counter history of the American left, contesting consensus history with examples of real conflict. They then compare it to 'The True and Only Heaven,' which they characterize as a deliberate counter myth that challenges the liberal historiographic project. The episode highlights Lash's use of thinkers like George Sorel and Reinhold Niebuhr in constructing a counter history and myth that challenges prevailing narratives of progress.
Lash's historiography has been criticized for omitting key events such as Westward expansion, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the New Deal. These events, while acknowledged as factual, are not fully explored or analyzed in Lash's work, a gap that critics have pointed out.
Lash's treatment of the Communist Party and black nationalism
Lash's writings regarding the Communist Party and black nationalism have drawn criticism. He pays significant attention to the Socialist Party and the Knights of Labor, but the Communist Party is largely overlooked. Similarly, while he explores the relationship between socialism and black nationalism, he does not give enough attention to how many black nationalists eventually turned toward communism. This selective treatment has been deemed incomplete and unbalanced.
Lash's view on the role of law and the legal framework
Lash's work tends to downplay the significance of law and the legal framework in shaping society. While he acknowledges the importance of the Warren Court's role in resolving social conflicts, he overlooks the broader impact of law on political and social dynamics. This omission has been identified as a limitation in Lash's analysis, particularly in understanding the intricate relationship between law and social change.
Lash's engagement with cultural and sociopolitical developments
Lash's cultural and sociopolitical analysis has been both praised and criticized. Some argue that his work provides valuable insights into the impact of cultural narcissism and the rise of identity politics. However, others contend that his narrow focus on these issues detracts from a more comprehensive understanding of American history and the complexities of political and economic dynamics.
What does the dual legacy of Christopher Lasch mean for the left tradition? Join us in this fascinating conversation with young scholar Elijah Emery as we explore Lash's ambivalence towards the left and how his work influences contemporary political discourse. We delve into Lasch's struggle with communitarianism, his views on religion, populism, and American history, and the complexities of his changing perspectives over time.
In this episode, we discuss Lasch's myth-making effort to create a unified history of populism and his critiques of the social democratic left. We uncover his seemingly contradictory opinions on racism within populism while also examining his views on law, politics, and neoliberalism. Elijah Emory expertly guides us through Lash's intellectual legacy, shedding light on the challenges and limitations of engaging with his work.
Lastly, we explore the various interpretations of Lash's writings, from the New Right and Post-Liberal elements to the Front Porch Republic and the Populist Left. Our conversation touches on his impact on contemporary political thought and how the left is engaging with his intellectual legacy. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode that demystifies the life and work of Christopher Lasch!
Crew: Host: C. Derick Varn Audio Producer: Paul Channel Strip ( @aufhebenkultur ) Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake. Intro Video Design: Jason Myles Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn
