Podcast / American Prestige / May 13, 2025

White American Liberals, Part 2

On this episode of American Prestige, Kevin Schultz returns to continue discussing his new book.

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White American Liberals, Pt 2 w/ Kevin Schultz | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

Kevin Schultz, Chair of the Department of History at the University of Illinois-Chicago, returns to the program to continue the discussion of his new book⁠ ⁠Why Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals): A History⁠. In this second part of the discussion, Danny, Derek, and Kevin get into the origins and power of the "radical chic" and "limousine liberal" criticisms, the concept of "positive polarization" as championed by figures like Spiro Agnew, the perceived abandonment of the white working class by the Democratic Party, the role of Nixon in this political shift, the influence of Phyllis Schlafly and George Wallace, George McGovern and the "acid, amnesty, and abortion" label, Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s attempt to redefine liberalism, the transition of some Cold War liberals to neoconservatism, the Democratic Party's embrace of neoliberalism and the rise of "Atari Democrats," the cultural phenomenon of "owning the libs," the association of the professional managerial class with contemporary liberalism, and potential new political vocabularies beyond the "liberal" label, and more.

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American politician and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan delivers a speech, United States, circa 1980.

(The News World / FPG / Archive Photos / Getty Images)

On this episode of American Prestige, Kevin Schultz, chair of the Department of History at the University of Illinois-Chicago, returns to the program to continue the discussion of his new book, Why Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals): A History. In this second part of the discussion, we get into the origins and power of the “radical chic” and “limousine liberal” criticisms, the concept of “positive polarization” as championed by figures like Spiro Agnew, the perceived abandonment of the white working class by the Democratic Party, the role of Nixon in this political shift, the influence of Phyllis Schlafly and George Wallace, George McGovern and the “acid, amnesty, and abortion” label, Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s attempt to redefine liberalism, the transition of some Cold War liberals to neoconservatism, the Democratic Party’s embrace of neoliberalism and the rise of “Atari Democrats,” the cultural phenomenon of “owning the libs,” the association of the professional managerial class with contemporary liberalism, and potential new political vocabularies beyond the “liberal” label, and more.

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The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

El Salvador Deploys Troops to Haiti, UN Ends Western Sahara Mission, Israeli Opposition Moves to Oust Netanyahu / American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

The Blue Wave has hit AP headquarters, devastating our humble operation. In this week’s news: Danny and Derek discuss the prospects for military escalation and peace talks with Iran after the midterm elections (2:06); the Red Cross delivers aid to the Yemeni city of Taiz (9:46); Netanyahu’s position weakens as coalition talks begin after Israel’s election (11:39); the FBI accuses North Korea of a $6.3 billion cryptocurrency theft (16:09); Ethiopia and Sudan close each other's consulates amid accusations of support for the RSF (18:25); the UN shuts down its Western Sahara mission (20:48); the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine schedule new peace talks in Abu Dhabi (23:28); a temporary ceasefire in southern Ukraine allows aid deliveries and civilian evacuations around Oleshky (25:12); the Trump administration pushes Europe to resume Russian gas imports (28:27); youth-led protests spread to Germany as French unions launch a nationwide strike (32:26); the U.S. negotiates a status-of-forces agreement with Venezuela (35:55); and El Salvador deploys thousands of troops to Haiti after four Salvadoran military personnel disappear (37:54).

Catch Danny in-person, along with friend of the pod Nando Vila, at Stories Books & Cafe in LA, Friday Nov 6th at 6:30 PM.

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Daniel Bessner

Daniel Bessner is a historian of US foreign relations and is the author of, among other books, Imperialist Realism.

Derek Davison

Derek Davison is a writer and analyst specializing in international affairs and US foreign policy. He is the publisher of the Foreign Exchanges newsletter, cohost of the American Prestige podcast, and former editor of LobeLog.

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