Unpopular Front Podcast

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.unpopularfront.newsI joined Max Read of Read Max for our bi-weekly Live chat, which we do together every other Wednesday at 2 pm. We talked about Olivia Nuzzi’s memoir, the Jeffrey Epstein emails, ethics in gossip journalism, what populism gets right about the ruling class, and what Niccolò Machiavelli can tell us about all of it. I hope you enjoy!

In this episode of Unpopular Front’s author series, I spoke to political theorist, writer, and researcher Laura K. Field. Laura has written for The Bulwark, The New Republic, Politico, and is a scholar in residence at American University, a senior advisor at the Illiberalism Studies Program at Georgetown, and a fellow at the Brookings Institution. She is also the author of Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right, out now from Princeton University Press. I had the honor to blurb this book: “A pathbreaking intellectual history from the world’s preeminent researcher of the contemporary American right. Furious Minds scrupulously chronicles the coalescence of a modern movement that took place as much online as in the seminar room or the corridors of power. Essential reading to understand today’s political situation.”Laura’s book charts the rise of a group of malcontent intellectuals as they go from a scrappy group of bloggers fantasizing about an authoritarian America to joining a seditious conspiracy against the Republic and providing legal architecture for a coup. It also gives a very helpful taxonomy of the different schools of MAGA thought. We talked about all that, the strange influence of Leo Strauss and his students, and how JD Vance has embraced the New Right thinkers. If you’re in the New York City area, Laura will be doing an event on December 4th at the CUNY Graduate Center from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with intellectual historian Richard Wolin. That’s 365 Fifth Avenue, Room 8301. Click the link to RSVP. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unpopularfront.news/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.unpopularfront.newsGood morning! Max Read and I spoke with our buddy Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker columnist extrordinaire and co-host of the Time To Say Goodbye podcast, about the results of Tuesday’s elections and what, if any, lessons can be drawn from them for Democrats going forward. Yesterday’s post had some typos (my apologies), but they should be fixed now.

William Hogeland, a historian of the early American republic, dives deep into the complexities of the Founding Fathers. He challenges the romanticized views of Alexander Hamilton, revealing his authoritarian tendencies and the class conflicts of early America. Hogeland discusses the Whiskey Rebellion as a pivotal moment of federal suppression and scrutinizes the origins of emergency powers that still impact today's politics. He also critiques the misapplication of Founders' ideals in modern dialogues and suggests that the Constitution may need reevaluation to address current issues.

I’m sorry for the double email, but some readers have asked me to upload my Chicago lecture as a podcast so they can listen to it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else they get they listen to their podcasts. So, please enjoy! Note that comments are closed on this post, but you can join the discussion on the main post. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unpopularfront.news/subscribe

Dylan Riley, a UC Berkeley sociologist and author of The Civic Foundations of Fascism, examines the dynamics of civil society and democracy in today's political landscape. He discusses how social media acts as a contemporary analogue to interwar civil society, facilitating mobilization and shaming. Riley contrasts Trumpism with classic fascism, probing the complexities of MAGA's strategies and the fragmentation of culture. He also addresses the challenges facing the Democratic Party and the intricacies of right-wing working-class alignment in modern America.

Max Read, writer and editor of Read Max, dives into the controversial Epstein birthday book, sparking discussions about celebrity connections and conspiracies. He critiques the tech world's uneasy tango with Trump and the fallout from an AI bubble that may be bursting. The dialogue also highlights the erosion of artistic value through technology and the ongoing decline of American manufacturing skills. With sharp insights, Read sheds light on the societal impacts of these trends and the need for better critical thinking in an increasingly complex landscape.

John Ganz, a writer for the Substack newsletter Unpopular Front, dives deep into a variety of provocative topics. He dissects the complexities of the Epstein case and elite impunity, revealing how systemic corruption shapes power dynamics. The discussion shifts to the intricate ties between wealth, power, and American identity, questioning populist narratives. Ganz also tackles the fluidity of race in politics and the erosion of citizenship, while analyzing the chaotic ideology behind Trumpism and the evolving Republican landscape, illuminating the roles of political outsiders and dynasties.

The discussion kicks off with a witty take on New York's unpredictable seasons. It dives into Peter Thiel's controversial ideas and his interview style, unraveling the challenges of extracting clear insights. The impact of AI on global politics, especially regarding China and Taiwan, is analyzed, stressing the societal implications over technical definitions. Urban politics and the struggle against gentrification highlight the need for authentic local engagement. Finally, the conversation examines gender dynamics in politics, shedding light on the unique scrutiny faced by female politicians.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unpopularfront.news/subscribe