Socialism's Critics Are Running On Empty

Throughout the 20th century, the appeal of socialism inspired genuine intellectual ferment on the reactionary right. Today, its critique of the left is completely out of gas.

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The recent swathe of electoral victories by the Democratic Socialists of America has provoked a predictably delicious meltdown throughout the political establishment. James Carville is apoplectic. Centrist Democrats are suddenly scrambling to release manifestos. Jonathan Chait continues to write his one and only column over and over again. On the reactionary right, needless to say, the Red Scare-esque pronouncements continue to fly fast and loose.

Here, however, there’s a somewhat curious phenomenon that deserves special attention. Said phenomenon generally involves a conservative pundit, Republican politician, or Fox News host rattling off various tenets of socialism or perhaps the various policy commitments of an organization like DSA as if they are some kind of revelation.