Barbara Kay has written professionally about issues on the non left since the 1960s. We might want to say she had a 'front-row seat', but that would be wrong. Her writing went beyond simple observation. She helped shape conservative opinion in Canada for half a century.

Barb wrote a piece on Norman Podhoretz, when he passed in December. She mentions reading everything he had ever written: books and articles; editorials in his role as senior editor of Commentary Magazine, everything.

Podhoretz was one of the brilliant Jews from New York who left the 1960's liberalism and discovered conservatism. Irving Kristol, the 'godfather of neoconservatism', said neoconservatives were "liberals who have been mugged by reality."

Of course, most neocons weren't Jews; they included a broad swath of Catholic and Protestant thinkers. But the Jews stood out, in part, because they brought their bellicose, New York attitude into right-wing politics. They applied revolutionary zeal from their former communist and Trotskyite experience to conservatism. They transformed the old conservatism of the American Republican party into something new in North America: neoconservatism.

After the Iraq war, neoconservatism became a term of derision. It became re-interpreted as nothing but a blend of zionism -- Christian and Jewish -- with hawkish foreign policy.

This redefinition was a profound mistake. It dismisses a whole political mindset, while at the same time shielding it from serious discussion. Like so many other words silenced by political correctness, neoconservatism can no longer be critiqued for its strengths and weaknesses.

We need to celebrate the brilliance of Podhoretz and Irving Kristol, while also critiquing where neoconservatism failed. Neoconservative thought remains a central part, perhaps even the embodiment, of modern political conservative opinion.

If we want to understand how best to apply conservatism to current issues, we need to dig deep into the neocon mindset.

Please let me know what you think!

Barbara Kay: 60 years ago, Norman Podhoretz's writing led me to conservatism

AI Summary

In this episode, Shawn Whatley engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Barbara Kay, a renowned columnist and author. They delve into the origins, evolution, and nuances of neoconservatism, exploring the influential works of Norman Podhoretz and Irving Kristol. Barbara shares her insights on conservatism, its philosophical underpinnings, and its enduring relevance in today's political landscape. They also touch on various contentious issues such as the limitations of human nature, the impact of anti-Americanism, and the evolution of liberalism. Tune in for a deep dive into the intellectual journey that shapes conservative thought.

00:00 Introduction to Neoconservatism

00:09 Defining Conservatism and Classical Liberalism

01:32 Meet Barbara Kay

01:40 Norman Podhoretz: A Legacy in Neoconservatism

02:10 The Jewish Connection to Neoconservatism

02:54 Barbara Kay's Tribute to Norman Podhoretz

05:27 Podhoretz's Intellectual Journey

07:32 The Role of Intellectuals in Conservatism

10:14 Neoconservatism and Universalism

17:32 The Balance Between Universalism and Particularism

32:02 The Importance of Moral Clarity

36:54 Modern Neoconservatism and Its Challenges

39:10 The Banality of Evil and Rationalization

40:29 Calvinism and the Rejection of Scholasticism

41:38 Jewish Perspectives on Evil

43:01 Conservatism and Human Nature

48:38 Neoconservatism and Its Critiques

01:06:04 The Role of Education in Society

01:10:18 Concluding Thoughts on Conservatism and Hope

Prime Minister Mark Carney's Davos speech made liberals swoon and conservatives nod in admiration.

Are the accolades warranted? Or are we being fooled by eloquence?

I couldn't resist recording something about The Speech. In this episode I offer three big points:

1. Carney appears to use a sycophantic foreign policy strategy. Is it rational? Will it work?

2. Carney appropriates brilliance to serve his own ends. Is that fair or justified?

3. The speech itself is confused. Do the speech writers understand how liberalism and marxism are both siblings of the Enlightenment?

Canada is in a better place with a more intelligent, less narcissistic leader. However, we should worry when our PM strikes alliances with a sworn enemy of our closest neighbour.

Let me know what you think!

Cheers

My Patreon

AI summary and chapters:

In this episode of Concepts, Shawn Whatley critically examines Mark Carney's recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Whatley highlights Carney's inconsistent foreign policy positions, eloquence devoid of genuine understanding, and a fundamental confusion born out of Enlightenment principles. Through three main points—Carney's sycophantic behavior, the content, and the inherent contradictions in his speech—Whatley unpacks why Carney's approach is problematic. Join the conversation and explore the complexities behind Carney's ideas and their implications.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:34 Foreign Policy Critique

03:00 Analyzing the Speech

05:44 Fundamental Confusion and Enlightenment

11:28 Conclusion and Call to Action

Cole Hogan is a political strategist who played key roles in the elections of Premier Doug Ford and Premier Jason Kenney. He's a student of Canadian politics past and present and frequent pundit on major media outlets in Canada.

Cole explains how Pierre Elliott Trudeau focussed on reshaping Canada. Economic issues seemed to bore him. PE Trudeau reshaped the Canadian constitution in his own image in the 1980s.

Conservatives have been off balance ever since. Having lost ceded the platform to Trudeau's priors, conservatives have tried to argue within the framework Trudeau built.

A new, younger batch of conservatives want to change the framework. They are tired of losing by rules set by the opposing team. They want to play offence.

Cole explains how the New Right wants conservatives to win on culture, national identity, and social concerns, not just pocket-book issues. He calls younger voters to get involved. "Participation is a solution in itself," he says.

Whether you agree with Hogan or not, you have to admit conservatism is changing shape in Canada. Fascinating to see what emerges!

Check out Cole's articles and website below. And remember, Patreon members get to see the content a bit early. I respond to comments there first. (Everything is free, but you need to subscribe).

Thanks for checking this out!

Shawn

If conservatives shun Canada’s institutions, how can we possibly reform them?

Red Tory? Blue Liberal? These terms mean nothing anymore

The right can no longer hide from Pierre Trudeau's legacy

ColeHogan.ca

Summary + Chapters (AI)

Dive into the world of Canadian politics with Shawn Whatley and guest Cole Hogan, a political strategist and communications expert. This episode explores the lasting impact of Pierre Elliot Trudeau on Canada's identity, the challenges faced by the conservative movement, and the necessity of engaging with national institutions. Learn about the significance of participation in politics and the evolving landscape of Canadian conservatism. Discover why young Canadians are crucial to shaping the future and how the conservative movement can navigate contemporary social and cultural issues, shedding light on the importance of being involved and informed.

00:00 Introduction to Pierre Elliot Trudeau's Impact on Canadian Politics

00:21 Guest Introduction: Cole Hogan

00:33 The Conservative Movement and Trudeau's Legacy

01:51 The Right's Shift in Focus: From Economics to Social Issues

03:22 The Charter of Rights and Freedoms: A Defining Document

04:40 Conservative Strategies and Historical Context

10:43 The Role of Canadian Institutions and Young Conservatives

19:21 Challenges and Opportunities for Young Conservatives

23:24 Encouraging Civic Participation

27:28 Getting Involved in Civic Committees

29:41 Conservative Perspectives on Policy

30:41 Challenges of Federal Programs

32:10 Humility in Policy Making

35:50 The Role of Opposition in Governance

40:05 Red Tory vs. Blue Tory 44:19 Engaging the Public in Politics

50:28 The Impact of the Pandemic on Trust in Government