E210 - White American Liberals, Pt 1 w/ Kevin Schultz
May 6, 2025
auto_awesome
Kevin Schultz, Chair of the Department of History at the University of Illinois Chicago and author of 'Why Everyone Hates White Liberals,' dives deep into the historical complexities of liberalism. He explores how the term has transformed from a symbol of post-WWII prosperity to a source of derision. The discussion touches on FDR's strategic liberalism, the challenges of the civil rights movement, and the ongoing ideological battles that shape American politics, particularly the tensions between liberalism and conservatism.
The historical evolution of liberalism in America reflects its transformation from a positive post-WWII ideology to a deeply polarized concept in contemporary discourse.
FDR's strategic branding of liberalism during the New Deal marked a pivotal moment in politics, reshaping public perception while reinforcing the Democratic Party's identity.
Critiques from civil rights leaders like Baldwin and King highlighted the disconnect between white liberals' intentions and the need for genuine racial equality.
Deep dives
The Rise of Political Polarization
Political polarization in the United States has intensified significantly over the last two decades, driven by various factors that have increasingly divided public opinion. Notably, the rise of Donald Trump exemplified a moment where traditional party lines blurred as he managed to unify disparate factions within the Republican Party around a common anti-liberal rhetoric. This change reflects a broader transformation in the perception of liberalism, which once signified positive attributes associated with victory in World War II and economic growth under presidents like FDR, but has since taken on negative connotations. The inquiry into this shift seeks to understand the historical embedding and evolving definition of the term 'liberal,' as it experiences scorn from not only the right but also the left and centrist groups.
Tracing the Definition of Liberalism
The understanding of liberalism is complex and has evolved significantly from its early origins in the 18th and 19th centuries to what it represents today. Initially, liberalism encompassed personal generosity, individual rights, and political representation, which were essential during the rise of democratic ideals in Europe. Over time, the term has transformed and now reflects broader discussions surrounding freedom and equality, with the ideological heritage rooted in Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu. The contention between the tenets of freedom and equality has framed ongoing debates within the liberal tradition, showcasing how the meaning of liberalism adapts to prevailing political and social contexts.
FDR's New Deal and the Liberal Identity
FDR's 1932 introduction of liberalism marked a pivotal moment in American politics, effectively branding the New Deal as a comprehensive approach to economic stabilization while avoiding the more stigmatized labels such as socialism. Through strategic communication, Roosevelt reframed the meaning of liberalism to appeal to the middle class, presenting it as a necessary reaction to the economic royalists of his time. The New Deal aimed not to dismantle capitalism but to set safeguards that would preserve it, engaging the government in ways previously unseen, such as the establishment of Social Security and agricultural support. This new definition solidified the political identity of the Democratic Party while fostering a narrative that would rally support against the critiques that emerged in later decades.
The Role of Race in Liberalism’s Evolution
The issue of race became increasingly central to discussions around liberalism from the 1960s onward, as civil rights activists began to critique the shortcomings of white liberals who failed to fully embrace the urgency of racial equity. Prominent figures like James Baldwin and Martin Luther King Jr. expressed frustrations with white liberal apathy, arguing that despite legislative gains, true equality remained elusive without deeper societal commitment. This period marked a watershed moment when the term 'white liberal' took on a pejorative significance, suggesting a disconnect between liberal intentions and their execution in racial matters. The acknowledgment of these critiques forced a reevaluation of liberalism, broadening its scope to include conversations about identity politics and systemic inequality, setting the stage for ongoing discourse about race within the liberal framework.
The Modern Conservative Reaction
The modern conservative movement emerged largely in response to FDR-era liberalism, coalescing under figures like William F. Buckley, who defined conservative identity through the critique of liberal policies. Buckley's strategy involved unifying various conservative factions by positioning liberalism as a common enemy; his writings framed liberalism as a flawed ideology that failed to account for the complexities of American society. This antagonistic relationship continued through conservative critiques of liberalism as the latter struggled to adapt to changing societal expectations in light of civil rights and anti-war movements. The evolution of conservatism against the backdrop of a shifting political landscape illustrates the dynamic interplay between liberal and conservative ideologies, emphasizing the continual reevaluation of American political identity.
Kevin Schultz, Chair of the Department of History at the University of Illinois Chicago, joins the program to talk about his new bookWhy Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals): A History. In this first part of the discussion, they get into liberalism’s consistent spirit yet inconsistent character, the transition from progressivism to liberalism in America in the early 20th century, FDR’s use of the word “liberal” as a sort of marketing tool, the height of the “white liberal,” William F. Buckley and the modern American conservative movement, the New Left’s opposition to “the liberal order,” the perception of white liberals in the civil rights movement, and more.
