JD Vance, Project 2025, and How the Right Got Weird
5Digest
This podcast delves into the rise of the "New Right" within the Republican party, a movement characterized by extreme social conservatism, economic nationalism, and a rejection of liberal democracy. The podcast features Laura Field, a political theorist, who provides insights into the intellectual roots of this movement, tracing its origins back to the "Old Right" of the early 20th century. Field highlights the influence of figures like JD Vance, Michael Anton, and Patrick Deneen, who have shaped the New Right's ideology. The podcast examines the New Right's core beliefs, including their rejection of liberal economics and internationalism, their deep social conservatism, and their skepticism towards democracy. It explores their views on gender, family, and race, highlighting their anti-feminist stance and their use of the term "gender ideology" to attack transgender rights. The podcast also discusses the New Right's relationship with Donald Trump and their agenda for a second Trump administration, as outlined in Project 2025. The podcast concludes by analyzing the potential impact of Kamala Harris's candidacy on the New Right, arguing that she represents a significant threat to their agenda. Field discusses how Democrats can effectively counter the New Right's agenda without falling into the trap of identity politics.
Outlines
The New Right's Worst Nightmare: Kamala Harris
This podcast discusses the rise of the "New Right" within the Republican party, a group characterized by extreme social conservatism, economic nationalism, and a rejection of liberal democracy. The guest, Laura Field, argues that this movement is more than just a cult of personality around Donald Trump and that it represents a serious threat to American democracy. She highlights the role of JD Vance and his connections to the New Right, and how their views on gender, family, and democracy are deeply concerning. The podcast concludes by discussing the potential impact of Kamala Harris's candidacy on the New Right and how Democrats can effectively counter their agenda.
The New Right's Philosophy and its Roots in the Old Right
This podcast delves into the core beliefs of the New Right, emphasizing their rejection of liberal economics and internationalism in favor of nationalist economics and an \"America First\" foreign policy. Field highlights their deep social conservatism, particularly their desire to preserve a homogenous America and their opposition to progressive social changes. She connects these ideas to the \"Old Right\" of the early 20th century, emphasizing the continuity of these reactionary tendencies within American conservatism.
The New Right's Radical Social Conservatism and its Impact on American Democracy
This podcast examines the New Right's extreme social conservatism, particularly their views on gender, family, and race. Field argues that their views go beyond traditional social conservatism, embracing a more explicit hierarchy based on race, ethnicity, and gender. She emphasizes the intellectual underpinnings of this radicalism, highlighting the role of figures like Patrick Deneen and their influence on JD Vance. The podcast also explores the New Right's rejection of democracy and their embrace of hierarchical, elitist views, discussing the influence of figures like Carl Schmitt and their emphasis on a \"friend-enemy\" distinction.
Trump, Project 2025, and the New Right's Agenda
This podcast explores the relationship between Donald Trump and the New Right, particularly in the context of Project 2025, a far-right agenda for a second Trump administration. Field argues that Trump, while not an ideologue himself, has become a tool for the New Right, allowing them to advance their agenda through his administration. She discusses the potential consequences of a Trump victory, highlighting the danger of the New Right's radical ideas being implemented at the national level.
Kamala Harris and the New Right's Nightmare
This podcast concludes by discussing the potential impact of Kamala Harris's candidacy on the New Right. Field argues that Harris represents a significant threat to their agenda, particularly due to her race and gender. She predicts that the New Right will respond with even more extreme rhetoric and tactics in an attempt to defeat her. The podcast ends with a discussion of how Democrats can effectively counter the New Right's agenda without falling into the trap of identity politics.
Keywords
New Right
A term used to describe a recent resurgence of radical, reactionary conservatism within the Republican party. This movement is characterized by extreme social conservatism, economic nationalism, and a rejection of liberal democracy.
JD Vance
A prominent figure in the New Right and Trump's 2024 running mate. Vance is known for his views on gender, family, and democracy, which are deeply rooted in the New Right's ideology. He is particularly associated with the \"post-liberal\" faction of the New Right, which advocates for a reintegration of church and state and a more traditional, patriarchal social order.
Post-Liberalism
A faction of the New Right that advocates for a return to a pre-liberal social order, characterized by a reintegration of church and state, a more traditional, patriarchal family structure, and a rejection of progressive social changes.
Gender Ideology
A term used by the New Right to attack transgender rights and progressive social changes related to gender and sexuality. They often use this term to justify their opposition to LGBTQ+ rights and their desire for a more traditional, patriarchal society.
Project 2025
A 900-page far-right wish list that lays out a hyper-specific and fascist roadmap for a second Trump administration. This document outlines the New Right's agenda for transforming American society, including policies that would restrict voting rights, undermine democratic institutions, and promote a more authoritarian form of government.
Flight 93 Election
An essay written by Michael Anton, a prominent figure in the New Right, in 2016. This essay argued that electing Hillary Clinton would be akin to crashing the plane of American democracy, justifying the election of Donald Trump as a necessary act of resistance. The essay's rhetoric and its impact on the Republican party highlight the New Right's willingness to use extreme language and tactics to achieve their goals.
Carl Schmitt
A German jurist and political theorist who was influential in Nazi Germany. Schmitt's work, particularly his concept of the \"friend-enemy\" distinction, has been influential in the New Right's thinking. This concept justifies the use of any means necessary to achieve political power and promotes a view of politics as an existential struggle between opposing forces.
Q&A
What are the core beliefs of the New Right?
The New Right rejects liberal economics and internationalism in favor of nationalist economics and an \"America First\" foreign policy. They are deeply socially conservative, seeking to preserve a homogenous America and oppose progressive social changes. They also reject liberal democracy and embrace a more hierarchical, elitist view of society.
How does JD Vance exemplify the New Right's ideology?
Vance embraces the New Right's views on gender, family, and democracy. He is particularly associated with the \"post-liberal\" faction, which advocates for a reintegration of church and state and a more traditional, patriarchal social order. His comments about \"childless cat ladies\" and his support for policies that restrict abortion and divorce reflect this ideology.
What is the significance of Project 2025?
Project 2025 is a 900-page far-right wish list that outlines the New Right's agenda for transforming American society. It includes policies that would restrict voting rights, undermine democratic institutions, and promote a more authoritarian form of government. This document highlights the potential consequences of a Trump victory and the danger of the New Right's radical ideas being implemented at the national level.
How might Kamala Harris's candidacy impact the New Right?
Harris represents a significant threat to the New Right's agenda, particularly due to her race and gender. The New Right is likely to respond with even more extreme rhetoric and tactics in an attempt to defeat her. This could lead to a further escalation of political polarization and a more hostile environment for marginalized groups.
How can Democrats effectively counter the New Right's agenda?
Democrats should focus on addressing the real problems that exist in American society, such as economic inequality and the struggles of working families, without falling into the trap of identity politics. They should also be outspoken about the fact that most Americans are not radicalized and do not support the New Right's extreme views. Finally, they should articulate a positive vision for a pluralistic and inclusive America, emphasizing the values of democracy, equality, and social justice.
Show Notes
All of a sudden, nearly every Democrat in the country has started calling out Republicans for being really damn weird. And with JD Vance’s pronatalist views and Trump’s insistence that Kamala Harris isn’t actually Black, the GOP isn’t beating the allegations. When did Republican rhetoric go from fear-inducing, to groan-inducing? Jon is joined by Laura K. Field, a researcher and political theorist who recently published a piece in POLITICO on the topic, and who is writing a book about the evolution of the Republican party. She breaks down why GOP weirdness is tied to the emergence of the “New Right,” how JD Vance exemplifies this moment, and how to prevent the movement from capturing more power in American politics.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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