'Cultural Marxism' is a conspiratorial agenda alleged to determine Western culture. This hence appears to represent an 'adapted' form of Marxism. It is a common bête noire in entrenched alt-right groupings.
It can hence seem akin to a mere over-dramatic accusation using 'Marxism' as a pantomime villain, therefore a form of merely continuing prejudice around the Cold War and Marxism. However, speaking of a 'cultural Marxist establishment' is not altogether misled. As 'Marxism' has taken on a form more in keeping with 'establishment' liberalism, it has also tended to avoid 'dry' economic issues in favour of 'cultural' and social justice issues favoured by liberalism. It would be valid to remark that this is not 'Marxism' in a strict sense, and is more akin to a variant of liberalism. After all, don't several Marxist political parties fall in line and support liberal parties like the Demorats in elections? However, this also raises the question of how and why Marxist categories are quickly repurposed to serve the agenda of the powerful liberal elite.
'Cultural Marxism' often overstates the influence of 'Marxist ideology' in upholding the mores of Western capitalism. Marxism is merely a set of vague ideas, and the world order cannot be based on mere talk. However, it is nonetheless true that a 'cultural' and demographic-focused use of Marxist tropes and rhetoric has come to entrench itself somewhat in the Western liberal establishment. Instead of being an actual opposition, Marxist rhetoric now springs easily from the womb of liberal capitalism. This suggests that Marxist ideas have ultimately originated from capitalistic concepts, and exist in a symbiotic relationship with capitalist ideology rather than truly opposing it. As a result, Marxism is not truly revolutionary.
