'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. However, this also raises the question of how and why Marxist categories are quickly repurposed to serve the agenda of the powerful liberal elite.
The term 'cultural Marxism' can seem like merely a generic conservative slur. That is a possible use. However, there are many summaries of 'cultural Marxism' which attempt to draw more clear parallels and carefully compare the two. This kind of comparison does reflect a form of politics that has taken root in the establishment, a recapitulation of 'Marxist' categories in the context of a focus on demographic groups and liberal politics. In that sense, 'cultural Marxism' often overstates the influence of 'Marxist ideology' in upholding the mores of Western capitalism. This is often done in order to repeat simplistic Cold War archetypes. However, it is nonetheless true that a 'cultural' and demographic-focussed use of Marxist tropes and rhetoric has come to entrench itself somewhat in the Western liberal establishment.
Interesting new terrain... This covered a lot of new ground on this well, I'll tell some mates who are into this conspiracy theory
ReplyDeleteI agree, I was more thinking of telling Marxists. Sort of trying to act contrarian. Your idea is more clear, I'll try that as well
DeleteThanks for this intro! I was kinda unsure what they were trying to get at, I guess that they have a point. Marxism is certainly often integrated into the liberalism cause!
ReplyDeleteThis is what I'm trying to tell y'all!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, that was a sympathetic treatment and well explained. I agree that it meens a sort of 'Marxist' agenda is around. Also on race, it is yeah hardly the only distraction from Marxist cause... If that's even a bad thing, 'Marxists' usually distract people with liberal politics
Are you right-wing too? People here are less bitchy than other leftist places, I suppose.
Delete"This conspiracy theory hence leads to an experience where the categories of 'multicultural' agendas are experienced as arising through the same central categories as in 'Marxism.'"
ReplyDeleteI really like this phrasing... Quite deep.
It's true that cultures and people are expected to keep being destabilised by things and adjust, that seems to imply some kind of 'pseudo-revolution' idea... Also ideas like 'structural discrimination' and 'demographic power' are attempts at something like Marxism... Why does this keep happening easily? You're right that it's like a 'physical'm Marxism...
Good summary...
DeleteThis is definitely interesting! I suppose that most 'Marxism' is about some agenda of that kind, definitely. I'll respond further when it's read fully...
ReplyDeleteI like this point. To Zero, would you suggest liberal 'Marxism' is Marxism used by the establishment? I guess they tend to support it
DeleteI agree with this.
DeleteThis is a fair piece concerning the theory. Impressed.
ReplyDeleteThe last part summarised things well... I quite like the idea of it as a 'physical' Marxism. That seems slightly invasive...
ReplyDeleteSuch a thingg is clearly there, though. I like that phrase, nice article Zero. I'm new here, I quite like it.
DeleteThis page seems to have some deep insights and critiques on nationalism, etc. This continues that.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this piece. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI really like your name. Thank you.
DeleteThis is not a conspiracy theory, it was a real political evil! Your lucid exposition helps cement this impression. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteExcellent
ReplyDeleteI wasn't familiar with this conspiracy theory, it makes sense now.
ReplyDeleteIf cultural Marxism was like that, it would explain why Marxists still seem radical even with the CPUSA. I guess it makes sense that Marxists are really sad that Clinton lost...
ReplyDeleteThat is weird! It is quite common though, among Marxists...
DeleteThe CPUSA are closer to 'cultural Marxism' than anything. So are SPUS, but maybe more like Greens. I assume they were always basically like that.
DeleteCertainly, 'Marxists' can seem radical even when they are only conventional liberals. So there is clearly a sense in which 'radicalism' can be a trait 'seen' in conventional liberalism. Certainly, many liberals have a fairly amorphous view of what capitalism entails. Their 'ideology' (and most politicians') was probably not compatible with it, too focussed on presenting it as generally acceptable to keep to it in a strict manner. It might hence seem like the fairly strict capitalistic system was met with several inimical forces. I think when you hear politicians talk or deliberate for a while, it's hard to begrudge 'conspiracy theories' for alleging that forces and agendas foreign to capitalism were somehow at play. It's also probably true that popular 'Marxism' probably serves as an exhaust for ideologically motivated distortion of capitalism.
DeleteExcellent point.
DeleteExcellent post!
ReplyDeleteI liked this post! I was linked here...
ReplyDeleteI like this!
ReplyDeleteGraçias!
ReplyDeleteI liked this. Thanks for the coverage!
ReplyDeleteGood post, more illuminating than most coverage of it
ReplyDelete