The hottest Political theory Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

Links to Consider, 3/7

In My Tribe • 318 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Activism Conservatism Foreign Relations
  1. Girard's mimetic theory explains how desires are often copied from others, leading to a cycle of crisis and scapegoating in communities.
  2. Noah Smith points out the shift in progressive causes towards Palestine, indicating a potential change in the unrest of the 2010s.
  3. Charles Kesler highlights the difference between National Conservatism and American Conservatism in terms of prioritizing individual vs. group rights.

Links to Consider, 2/25

In My Tribe • 318 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Political theory Cultural analysis Economic Impact Religious Studies Government transparency
  1. In some areas, class status is heavily influenced by college education and the prestigious Yankee settled areas.
  2. Martin Gurri envisions a future where the online electorate has more direct engagement in government and information is more transparent.
  3. It's important to consider the long-term effects of defense spending on the economy, as resources might be more beneficial if allocated elsewhere.

Minoritarian moralism

Archedelia • 2142 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regime Political theory
  1. Transformations in political regime are shifting authority from majority rule to technical and moral clerisies.
  2. The ruling entity now focuses on protecting a vulnerable self in society, expanding managerial authority and dismissing common sense.
  3. The new minoritarianism centers around using recognition clients as symbols for social control, shifting control to a new class of social managers.
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Trump, the Ballot, and the State of Exception

In My Tribe • 379 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Elections Sovereignty Governance
  1. In extreme cases of emergency, the law may not be able to handle the situation effectively.
  2. Political officials in some states are making decisions that can be seen as declaring a 'state of exception.'
  3. The issue of sovereignty and decision-making power has been a point of contention during crises like the 2020 election and the COVID pandemic.

Impartial giving, a la Effective Alturism, is not a politically neutral idea (v. short)

Philosophy bear • 76 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Political theory
  1. Leftwing respondents were more likely to display ethical impartiality, showing a strong association between politics and impartial altruism.
  2. Effective Altruism's self-image as neutral or centrist is contradicted by the political alignment of EA survey respondents.
  3. Impartial compassion manifests differently between left and right political ideologies, with rightwing individuals more likely to reject impartiality.

We Weren't Taught To Learn

New Means • 1257 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🚌 Education Political theory
  1. Traditional education often focuses on memorization rather than critical thinking.
  2. Learning with others can provide different perspectives and make education more practical and engaging.
  3. Continuous learning, especially in political theory and skills, is crucial for creating meaningful change in society.

The Temptations of Carl Schmitt

The Upheaval • 816 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Totalitarianism Political theory Authoritarianism Nihilism Critical Theory
  1. Carl Schmitt's ideas have made a resurgence in disaffected political circles, especially on the right, reflecting a trend of his concepts becoming more mainstream.
  2. Schmitt's study of political chaos in post-World War I Germany offers insights into today's political, cultural, and spiritual upheavals.
  3. Schmitt's concept of 'friend-enemy distinction,' the central domain of politics, ties into today's identity politics and struggles for power.

Is authoritarianism inherently anti-social?

Sex and the State • 13 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Political theory Social Dynamics
  1. The relevance of the left/right political divide is being questioned, with focus shifting towards pro-social versus anti-social perspectives.
  2. Authoritarianism is being considered as inherently anti-social, sparking discussions on its impact on society.
  3. Engagement with differing perspectives, such as pro-social versus anti-social viewpoints, can lead to meaningful discourse and understanding.

Michael Lind Stands Up For The Oppressed

From the New World • 188 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Opinion Political theory Policy Political Commentary
  1. Michael Lind opposes the idea of a biological elite to prevent support for certain political factions.
  2. There is a division in the right between those who focus on policy and those who prioritize the interests they are fighting for.
  3. Lind's arguments are driven by his class interests and fear of a cross-elite coalition, rather than objective facts or truth.

Prove Yarvin Wrong

Becoming Noble • 239 implied HN points • 31 Jan 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Conservative movement
  1. Yarvin discusses the concept of 'hobbits' and 'dark elves' as classes on the right, highlighting the importance of elites in shaping political realities.
  2. Yarvin points out the dispersion of power in non-democratic institutions like the media and academia, leading to a progressive political consensus that resists change.
  3. The essay suggests the need to elevate 'hobbits' to 'dark elves' status to create a new elite capable of challenging the current power structures and instigating change.

toward a system of neo-xunism

alice maz • 59 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Political theory Human nature Ethics
  1. The Spring and Autumn period in Chinese history reflects a time of transition and decline of central power.
  2. Xunzi offers insights on power, governance, and human nature, advocating for self-cultivation and practical solutions in politics.
  3. Xunzi's philosophy combines elements of Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, emphasizing learning, ritual, meritocracy, and adaptability.

The Anti-Mobility Playbook

Exasperated Infrastructures • 26 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Transportation Infrastructure Policy Political theory Government
  1. The Republican message focuses on telling people what to do while resisting being told what to do.
  2. There are two main theories in government - Conflict and Mistake - that don't always align with political parties.
  3. The Anti-Mobility Playbook highlights how Republicans resist investing in transportation modes that could benefit everyone, contributing to the lack of progress in transportation planning and infrastructure.

Exploring the Ideas of Friedrich Hayek on Classical Liberalism

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 18 Dec 22
📖 Philosophy Political theory
  1. Classical liberalism emphasizes individual liberty and limited government intervention, rooted in John Locke's ideas but further developed by philosophers like John Stuart Mill and Herbert Spencer.
  2. Friedrich Hayek believed in maximum economic freedom for individuals to make decisions based on their own interests, advocating that economic freedom is essential for political freedom.
  3. Hayek argued for limited government intervention, only when necessary to prevent harm or infringement of rights, opposing central planning to protect individual autonomy and creativity.