Know Your Enemy

Explore the right's century-long romance with foreign dictators from Kaiser Wilhelm to Mussolini. Discover the link between race science and fear of democracy, the pivot from Nazi revisionism to Cold War, and the consequences of neoconservatism. Unravel the distinction between authoritarianism and totalitarianism, and the potential disaster of a second Trump term.

Matt and Sam explore René Girard's insights on envy through Pope Francis's teachings, discussing the role of Christianity in addressing societal violence and inequality. They touch on Girard's attachment to Christianity, the politics of Jesus, and the looming apocalyptic violence he predicted.

Exploring the fascination with René Girard on the right, his theories on violence and social order, Christianity's uniqueness, and the impact on modernity. Connections to Peter Thiel, mimetic desire, social media, victimhood, and literary banter. Also, discussion on upcoming book release.

This podcast explores the taboo surrounding biological racism on the contemporary right and the shift towards scientific racism. It discusses the mobilization of far-right media personalities and speculates about the upcoming release of FBI files on Martin Luther King Jr.

Exploring the efforts to identify and train staff for a potential second Trump administration, focusing on conservative intellectual organizations and their changing dynamics with the White House. Discussions include personal anecdotes and insights, the influence of conservative groups in the Trump era, power struggles and personal relationships in the administration, and the staffing question for Trump's potential second term.

Subscribe to Know Your Enemy on Patreon to listen to this premium episode, and all of our bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/knowyourenemyJourneyman actor Peter Crombie, who appeared in films such as Seven, Born on the Fourth of July, and Natural Born Killers, died earlier this month, on January 10, 2024, at the age of 71. But his most famous, or at least memorable, role probably was his five-episode arc in season four of Seinfeld as "Crazy" Joe Davola, a struggling writer who becomes obsessed with Elaine and believes Jerry is sabotaging his career.The "Crazy" Joe Davola episodes come at a major turning point in Seinfeld's nine seasons. The grittier, nearly vanished working-class New York City that's depicted in its earliest episodes, filled with dingy laundromats, struggling actors, immigrant relatives, and people who are literally poor, begins to drop out of view as Jerry's career takes off and the settings, references, and concerns of the show becomes more absurd and removed from the day to day life of ordinary people in Manhattan and beyond.Using the death of Peter Crombie as the thinnest of excuses to do an episode on the politics of Seinfeld, Matt was joined by KYE producer Jesse Brenneman and historian Gabe Winant to explain its "Jewish humor"; how the class politics of New York City in the 70s and 80s informed the show; the deeper meaning of its many references to dictators, Nazis, communists, and others; the Dinkins vs. Giuliani race for mayor; and more!

Historian Kim Phillips-Fein discusses the historiography of American conservatism. The podcast explores the debates among historians and the recent rethinking of the far right. It delves into the impact of Reagan's election and challenges of studying conservatism. The speakers emphasize engagement and caution against condescension while discussing the battle line between the right and left throughout American history.

Osita Nwanevu, writer, discusses Tom Wolfe's work, exploring wealth, consumerism, and subcultures in America post-World War II.

Erik Baker, Harvard University lecturer, and editor at The Drift magazine joins the podcast to discuss Garry Wills' book 'Bomb Power' which explores how the development of nuclear weapons transformed US democracy, empowering the presidency and enabling secrecy, deception, and clandestine war. They cover topics such as presidential power, secrecy, the unconstitutionality of bomb power, and the president as commander in chief. They also touch on figures like Snowden and Ellsberg, and the book's profound Catholic perspective.

Stanford historian Jennifer Burns joins the hosts to discuss her biography of Milton Friedman, exploring his radical ideas, his variety of libertarianism, and his respect for women. They delve into Friedman's views on regulation, the Federal Reserve, and civil rights, as well as his role in the economic transformation of Chile. The chapter analyzes Friedman's legacy and his impact on economics.