26. "Got a good podcast that tries to shed some light on this." In response to In response to 0
It's called "Know Your Enemy." The stated purpose is to try and quantify/identify exactly this. What do conservatives *actually* stand for ? Why do they operate politically the way that they do ? What is the history of conservative intellectualism and thought, and how closely has it actually reflected its own stated value system throughout modern history ?
It's a *super* dense podcast, at least the first several episodes. Early on the two hosts tended to hone in on one book or one central tenet of conservative intellectualism so I found myself rewinding a lot.
But I have to say that it's been super, super illuminating on a number of levels. The hosts typically do a nice job of laying bare exactly what motivations conservatives have and how conservative "intellectualism" is typically used, as I think most of us are acutely aware, as a tool to give cover for their more abhorrent and ghoulish actual ideals and motivations. But the hosts explain all this in a way that doesn't come off as just piling on. They first try to honestly explore what "decent" conservatives may actually believe, before diving into the practical and functional results of conservative philosophy and policy and highlighting how their values more often than not result in utter failure on a societal level.
It's good for that reason but also because one of the hosts is a self-described "recovering right wing intellectual" who has since become a fervent leftwinger/borderline socialist. So he offers a unique perspective that I don't think you often get from other leftwing podcasts.
Anyway I highly recommend it because I think this podcast actually answers a whole lot of what you're asking here in a satisfying way, that offers genuine and honest explorations of conservative thought without serving to, in really any way, *defend* conservatives or their stated beliefs unless warranted (in rare cases).