Lecture: JD Vance's Intellectual Influences and the New Right Movement

Overview

• Presenter: Michael Millerman, from Millerman School and millermanschool.com
• Topics: Politics, philosophy, JD Vance's nomination as Trump's vice presidential candidate, the intellectual influences on Vance

JD Vance's Unusual Worldview

• Political Context: Trump nominated JD Vance as VP; sparked interest and discussions within the intellectual right
• Article Reference: Political.com's article on the seven thinkers/groups shaping JD Vance's worldview

Key Thinkers Influencing JD Vance

1. Patrick Denine

   • Background: Political Theory Professor, University of Notre Dame
   • Key Works: "Why Liberalism Failed", "Regime Change"
   • Themes: Critique of small-L liberalism, focus on communal bases of American Life, critique of individualism and secularism
   • Policy Stance: Anti-liberal progressivism, pro-family, pro-worker policies, foreign policy isolationism
   • Impact: Major intellectual influence on Vance, post-liberal right identification

2. Peter Thiel

   • Background: Venture capitalist, intellectual influence
   • Key Ideas: Technological stagnation vs societal progress, corruption of political and social elites
   • Notable Works: "The Straussian Moment", "Zero to One"
   • Relationship with Vance: Longtime friend and mentor, influencing Vance’s view on societal elites and technology

3. Curtis Yarvin

   • Background: Blogger, known for neoreactionary (NeoRX) movement
   • Key Ideas: Critique of liberalism and democracy, promotes monarchy-like governance
   • Impact: Influenced Vance's views on bureaucracy and civil service reform

4. René Girard

   • Background: French philosopher and Catholic literary critic
   • Key Ideas: Mimetic rivalry, scapegoat mechanism, impact of Christianity
   • Influence on Vance: Major influence on Vance's conversion to Catholicism

5. Sohrab Amari

   • Background: Political editor, converted to Catholicism
   • Views: Social democracy, working-class conservatism
   • Relationship with Vance: Close friends, publicizing and supporting Vance’s ideas

6. Claremont Institute

   • Overview: Think tank known for West Coast Straussianism
   • Influence: Advocates return to founding American principles, limited government
   • Association with Vance: Vance frequently collaborates and speaks with Claremont scholars

7. Rod Dreher

   • Background: Orthodox Christian writer, known for "Crunchy Cons"
   • Key Work: "The Benedict Option"
   • Friendship with Vance: Early supporter of Vance’s book, attended Vance’s baptism

Analysis of the Tech Right Movement

• Richard Hanania's Article: "Understanding the Tech Right" on Substack
• Key Points:
  • Tech right combines acceptance of inequality (right-wing) with openness to change (left-wing)
  • Key Figures: Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Andreessen, Balaji Srinivasan
  • Emergence of intellectual and political activity within tech circles supporting Trump
  • Divergence from mainstream conservatism: favor for legal immigration, opposing traditionalism and economic protectionism
  • Importance of technology and entrepreneurship in shaping modern right-wing politics