#493 | Zack Beauchamp: The Reactionary Spirit vs. Democracy in the U.S. & Abroad - The Realignment

Zack Beauchamp, Vox Senior Correspondent and author of The Reactionary Spirit: How America's Most Insidious Political Tradition Swept the World, joins The Realignment. Zack and Marshall discuss the American origins of the reactionary backlash against liberal democracy, the difference between conservatism and reactionary thought, and the case studies of Hungary, Israel, and India.

0:00 - Introduction
0:45 - ‘Democracy’ discourse
6:52 - Broad democratic principles
10:55 - Semi-private nature of US elections
14:50 - Trump ban from twitter
17:15 - Campaign finance
23:37 - Primaries
28:53 - Political parties in other countries
32:37 - Shift in politics since 2000’s
40:50 - Reactionary right
46:12 - Compromising with the right
49:57 - Trump’s trials
54:15 - Zack’s book

[NormanFinkelstein]

For those of us unable to accept the changing circumstances of Contemporary Society, Social Structures, Political and Economic institutions, Technology, and the nature of our Relationships to them this gave us a little bit to think to about.
For those simply waiting to tear down anything which offers a loose thread of anything disagreeable or difficult the playground is free and sky wide open to hurl any form new logic one wishes - but its where we can reasonably communicate on shared meanings that the conversation begins.

[paulafortin]

Zack commented on David Brooks argument puffing love somewhere. Brooks wanted to teach people to look at others
as their larger-ness and then see it in themselves - his curative for individualistic depression and violent expression.
That is the first time I had seen an argument for projection raised like a humble sleeve covering an empty sheath.
But Zack countered with an argument aimed at reactionaries who he said he felt felt they had lost their "America."
And here they are talking above about how to claim at least one amendment of that and wipe out the federalist
part in D.C. without getting noticed. I don't think individualism is bad. I don't even think depression is best eliminated.
I think taking off the cloak in an appropriate "safe" place and risking recognizing who one really is, valuing the way
you get to, is scarier than the violence, but necessary to knowing how you know and who can. And then what to
do with words which have no knowable real thing and which are poor weapons. Love if you find it might make
the bittersweet quest seem worthwhile. But you have to set out sometimes alone. Statistics show people are
on that journey maybe.

[libshastra]

Zack Beauchamp should understand that Americans imposing their image on India is a form of colonialism. If Modi is going after them in the US, then he is doing so in line with India's interest. Zack is enabling neocolonialism.

[connorrupp]

Shout out to the Thomas Barnett episode.

[jonnieinbangkok]

Did demoocracy "win" over "authoritarian communism" with the fall of the Soviet Union...the last time I checked, it was still alive and well in China. Your guest's analysis is shallow and simplistic but I'd expect that from some youngster at Vox.

[dieEiserneHand]

This guy's argument is that its only a real democracy when the people in charge hold the same liberal world view he does. His whole argument is childish and embarrassing. Has he even spoken to people like Orban to try and understand his point of view?

[Stoned_apeTheory]

Can't help but feel like Brianna Joy Gray* might have an interesting conversation with this guy(*spelling)

[DDCrp]

the partisanship shined forth .. shame. Learn to call people out who try to retcon shared political perceptions... God damn... People are cooked