DeepSummary
The podcast hosts Matt Sittman and Sam Edlerbell interview Damon Linker, a former editor at the conservative religious publication First Things and current writer of the Substack newsletter 'Eyes on the Right.' Damon discusses his Straussian influences and intellectual background, as well as his time working at First Things during the George W. Bush administration and the buildup to the Iraq War.
Damon reflects on his disagreements with the neoconservative foreign policy positions of First Things and editor Richard John Neuhaus, particularly regarding the Iraq War. He also shares insights into the dynamics and tensions within the magazine's staff and readership, highlighting incidents that led to his eventual departure and writing of the book 'The Theocons' critiquing the publication's influence.
The conversation explores Damon's evolving perspective on the conservative movement, the rise of Trumpism, and his concerns about the potential for societal division and conflict in the United States. He emphasizes the importance of making distinctions and avoiding oversimplification when analyzing political phenomena like Trumpism and the threat of authoritarianism.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Damon Linker's intellectual background, including his Straussian influences and mentorship under Mark Lilla, shaped his critical and nuanced approach to political analysis.
- Linker experienced firsthand the tensions and disagreements within the conservative magazine First Things, particularly regarding the Iraq War, ultimately leading to his departure and writing of 'The Theocons.'
- Linker emphasizes the importance of making distinctions and avoiding oversimplification when analyzing political phenomena like Trumpism and the threat of authoritarianism.
- Linker expresses concern about the potential for societal division and conflict in the United States, not necessarily a literal civil war but a fracturing of the body politic into two opposing camps.
- Linker values intellectual independence and is willing to challenge and disagree with various perspectives, even those he may have previously agreed with.
- The conversation explores the evolving dynamics of the conservative movement, from the Reagan era to the rise of Trumpism and the current state of the Republican Party.
- Linker's perspective offers insights into the tensions between different factions within the conservative movement, such as the neoconservatives and the more populist, reactionary elements that have gained prominence under Trump.
- The discussion highlights the complexities of navigating political transitions and the challenges of maintaining intellectual integrity in the face of shifting ideological currents.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I ended up studying intellectual history and cultural history of Europe and studied closely with Lilla for two years, I was able to do that without ever being completely absorbed into the tribe. I sort of remained on the margins, skeptical, learning things, not accepting a lot of the more cultish, I don't know, tendencies of the school as it were.“ by Damon Linker
- “What you're doing is a real contribution to understanding and thinking about really important stuff so happy to be here.“ by Damon Linker
- “I am perfectly willing to piss off anybody on any side at any time, especially if I agreed with the last time.“ by Damon Linker
Entities
Person
Episode Information
Know Your Enemy
Matthew Sitman
9/20/22