Alright, here's a request. Ever been called a 'Cultural Marxist'? Wondering what the fresh hell 'Cultural Marxism' is supposed to be? I got you, fams. 1/ 
Alright, it's the end of the Second World War. Europe's in ruins. Shit time for many.
Academics, doing what they do, spend a lot of time wrestling with the fact that fascism and communism have both resulted in death and destruction. The new world is a scary place. /2
Academics, doing what they do, spend a lot of time wrestling with the fact that fascism and communism have both resulted in death and destruction. The new world is a scary place. /2
Between the wars, academics had come together - loosely based around the Uni of Frankfurt & the 'Institute for Social Research' - to discuss what had become of the vaunted Marxist world revolution in their inquiry.
This was, funnily enough, called the 'Frankfurt School'. /3
This was, funnily enough, called the 'Frankfurt School'. /3
Two of the most famous members of the 'Frankfurt School' are Theodor Adorno, and Erich Fromm.
Put very, very, very simply, both were psychologists, sociologists and thinkers that criticized many aspects of modern life, materialism and the power structures supporting it. /4
Put very, very, very simply, both were psychologists, sociologists and thinkers that criticized many aspects of modern life, materialism and the power structures supporting it. /4
After WW2, a number of young German, French, British and American academics are inspired by the work of the 'Frankfurt School' between the wars.
They take their approach into their own inquiry, in an effort to understand what had gone wrong - again, putting it simply. /5
They take their approach into their own inquiry, in an effort to understand what had gone wrong - again, putting it simply. /5
For the most part, these academics carry on their 'deconstruction' of the postwar world, its power structures & paradigms far removed from mainstream discourse.
To be blunt, most people have no idea there's a bunch of theorists off viewing things through a Marxist lens. /6
To be blunt, most people have no idea there's a bunch of theorists off viewing things through a Marxist lens. /6
Basically, 'Cultural Marxism' was a term coined to describe a type of critique of a world bent on mass-production, hyper-capitalism and a widening inequality gap.
It's super, super, super niche stuff.
Of course, this is where I bring in the Nazis. Because I always do. /7
It's super, super, super niche stuff.
Of course, this is where I bring in the Nazis. Because I always do. /7
The Nazis had a similar term: 'Kulturbolcshewismus' or 'Cultural Bolshevism'.
This was something altogether more sinister.
Rather than a cultural critique, 'Cultural Bolshevism' was in essence, a conspiracy theory...
...THE JEWS WERE USING POPULAR CULTURE TO TAKE OVER!1!! /8
This was something altogether more sinister.
Rather than a cultural critique, 'Cultural Bolshevism' was in essence, a conspiracy theory...
...THE JEWS WERE USING POPULAR CULTURE TO TAKE OVER!1!! /8
'Cultural Bolshevism' is used all over in Nazi rhetoric.
The idea of a 'Jewish cabal' using art, music & media to influence & degrade German society was continuously evoked.
It was widely explored in propaganda and the (wildly successful) 'Degenerate Art' exhibition. /9
The idea of a 'Jewish cabal' using art, music & media to influence & degrade German society was continuously evoked.
It was widely explored in propaganda and the (wildly successful) 'Degenerate Art' exhibition. /9
The Nazis were defeated, but of course the idea of a conspiracy to subvert culture - especially by outsiders (read: Jews) wasn't.
When the Far Right was casting about for a new narrative, they began to conflate the 'secret cabal' theories with the new critical theorists. /10
When the Far Right was casting about for a new narrative, they began to conflate the 'secret cabal' theories with the new critical theorists. /10
Far Right thinkers and activists began to agitate, using the idea that a shadowy network of Marxists were directing the dismantling of modern Western civilization from their base in academia.
Of course, it appealed that many of the original 'Frankfurt School' were Jews. /11
Of course, it appealed that many of the original 'Frankfurt School' were Jews. /11
Even then, 'cultural marxist' was a very weird, nerdy Far Right slur until the re-emergence of the Far/Alt-Right in the last decade.
Right-aligned pundits, then media, then politicians began to use the idea in their arguments. /12
Right-aligned pundits, then media, then politicians began to use the idea in their arguments. /12
Institutions such as the EU and UN became frequent targets for accusations of 'Cultural Marxism', claiming that they were purposefully trying to shape one homogenous culture, stripping traditions by design.
You know, mad shit. /13
You know, mad shit. /13
To a certain subset of reactionary 'Trad' culture, that has a growing base online, almost all progressive thought and policy constitutes 'Cultural Marxism', directed from some shadowy vantage point.
It's really quite nuts. /14
It's really quite nuts. /14
Basically, if someone calls you a 'Cultural Marxist', or accuses someone of 'Cultural Marxism', they're suggesting that you/they are part of some grand scheme to destroy western (read: white) civilization.
What's more, they're employing an anti-Semitic trope to do it. /15
What's more, they're employing an anti-Semitic trope to do it. /15
NOTE: This is does not apply if you are an elderly, probably German, sociologist or psychologist.
Then they may just be describe your field of study. That's okay. /16
Then they may just be describe your field of study. That's okay. /16
Hope that made sense. If it didn't, badger me. I've been looking for something to describe why it's a dodgy concept & I'd really like to be able to articulate it!
Until next time, remember: We must help the West sow the seeds of their own immolation! MWUAHAHAH!
/FIN
Until next time, remember: We must help the West sow the seeds of their own immolation! MWUAHAHAH!
/FIN
FFS, KULTURBOLSCHEWISMUS.
