DeepSummary
In this episode, the hosts discuss the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court and the role conservative intellectuals played in bridging the gap between the religious right and the Republican Party. They delve into how figures like Richard John Neuhaus and publications like First Things helped translate the anti-abortion rhetoric into a more palatable language for the mainstream, paving the way for the Bush administration's policies.
They also examine the contributions of scholars like Robert P. George and Hadley Arkes, who authored legislation and legal briefs that advanced the anti-abortion cause. The hosts highlight how the anti-abortion movement evolved from street-level violence to a more sophisticated, intellectual approach, culminating in the Trump presidency's outsourcing of judicial nominations to the Federalist Society.
The episode concludes with a discussion of the future aspirations of the anti-abortion movement, including the potential for establishing fetal personhood nationwide, and the role of contingency and political maneuvering in shaping the course of events. The hosts express cautious optimism for the pro-choice movement, acknowledging the need for a sustained, strategic effort to counter the gains made by the religious right.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Conservative intellectuals played a crucial role in translating the anti-abortion rhetoric of the religious right into a more palatable and sophisticated form, bridging the gap with the Republican Party.
- Publications like First Things and figures like Richard John Neuhaus, Robert P. George, and Hadley Arkes helped shape the anti-abortion movement's strategies and policies, contributing to its success.
- The anti-abortion movement evolved from street-level violence and protests to a more intellectual and legal approach, culminating in the Trump presidency's outsourcing of judicial nominations.
- The Bush administration represented the apotheosis of the religious right's integration with the Republican establishment, with policies and legislation reflecting the influence of anti-abortion intellectuals.
- The overturning of Roe v. Wade is not the end goal for the anti-abortion movement, which aims to establish fetal personhood nationwide and further restrict abortion rights.
- The pro-choice movement faces structural challenges and contingencies, but the hosts express cautious optimism for building a sustained, strategic effort to counter the gains made by the religious right.
- The role of contingency and the ability to seize opportunities as they arise are crucial lessons from the anti-abortion movement's success that the pro-choice movement should heed.
- The Supreme Court's decision has further eroded public trust in its legitimacy, potentially opening the door for a re-evaluation of its role in the political system.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I think part of symptomatically what this move from uncontrolled violent confrontations into a more respectable and sort of less extra political domain of mobilization is exactly the story we want to tell about the nineties.“ by Sam Adler-Bell
- “Trump is sort of like a returning to the roots of this movement. And I think that's worth taking seriously.“ by Sam Adler-Bell
- “The parts of his agenda which were the apotheosis, as far as I can tell, of this elite project of sanitizing religious conservatism for the Washington, DC consensus. That's a forgotten part of his legacy.“ by Sam Adler-Bell
- “I think it would be a huge mistake to imagine that we can't try to do the same thing. Like, to be frank, contingency and movement building is not like a particularly satisfying or hopeful answer to the position that we are in right now.“ by Sam Adler-Bell
Entities
Person
Organization
Book
Episode Information
Know Your Enemy
Matthew Sitman
6/30/22