#1277 Matthew McManus: The Right Wants You Stupid, and Steven Pinker Is Wrong About Marxism
Dr. Matthew McManus is a Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Michigan. He is the author of books like The Emergence of Postmodernity, The Political Right and Equality, and The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism.
In this episode, we start by talking about the piece “The Right Wants You Stupid”. We explore the historical link between anti-intellectualism and the American right, the idea of a natural order to society, and how it benefits the ruling class. We talk about anti-intellectualism in the American modern era, and charges against SJWs, feminists, Marxists, the wokes, and “cultural Marxism”. We also discuss whether the right is really in favor of academic freedom. We then talk about Dr. McManus’ piece “Steven Pinker Doesn’t Know Anything About Marxism”, and explore how he is wrong about Marxism; whether Marxism has really been tried in any society; Pinker’s flawed take on the Enlightenment; and issues with Pinker’s approach to history, anthropology, politics, and economics. Finally, we discuss the critics of Marxism that Marxists need to contend with the most.
Time Links:
Intro
The historical link between anti-intellectualism and the American right
The idea of a natural order to society
Benefitting the ruling class
Anti-intellectualism in the American modern era
Recent charges against SJWs, feminists, Marxists, the wokes, and “cultural Marxism”
Is the right really in favor of academic freedom?
How Steven Pinker is wrong about Marxism
Has Marxism really been tried in any society?
Pinker’s flawed take on the Enlightenment
Larger issues with Pinker’s approach to history, anthropology, politics, and economics
Critics of Marxism that Marxists need to contend with the most
Follow Dr. McManus’ work!
Follow Dr. McManus’ work:
Our first interview: https://youtu.be/-IBBzaAEuS8
Faculty page: https://shorturl.at/eNjQQ
Google Scholar page: https://shorturl.at/YYt2W
The Right Wants You Stupid: https://tinyurl.com/ycmzm8wf
Steven Pinker Doesn’t Know Anything About Marxism: https://tinyurl.com/zkfdnxz3
Twitter handle: @MattPolProf