The Dig Hayek’s Bastards w/ Quinn Slobodian
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May 19, 2025 
Quinn Slobodian, a Professor of international history at Boston University and author of 'Hayek's Bastards,' dives into the intersection of far-right ideologies and neoliberal thought. He discusses how movements like MAGA aren't merely reactions to neoliberalism, but also shaped by it. Slobodian highlights the historical ties between race, economics, and extremism, revealing how figures like Ron Paul fueled paranoia in the 90s. He connects the rise of nativism to neoliberal policies, exploring the complex narratives that influence modern political dynamics.
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Far Right and Neoliberal Overlap
- The far right and neoliberal libertarianism have long been intertwined rather than strictly opposed.
- Many far-right strategies accelerate neoliberal dynamics of hyper-individualism and interstate competition.
Neoliberalism as Intellectual Movement
- Neoliberalism is a complex intellectual movement distinct from capitalism itself.
- It has core thinkers and debates, uniting diverse factions like anarcho-capitalists and order liberals.
Science as Far-Right Weapon
- Far-right neoliberals use appeals to nature and science to refute egalitarianism.
- This intellectual strategy counters social justice by asserting innate inequality rooted in biology.
