Giving J.D.Vance a second look

 

Few are as dogmatic and radical as the converted. From Saint Paul and Luther to the neocons that moved from liberalism to anarco capitalism like Thomas Sowell, David Horowitz, Norman Podhoretz, Irving Kristol… and now J.D. Vance.

These conversions are often accompanied by a heightened intensity in rejecting their former beliefs. Similar to the religious conversions of Saint Paul, who went from persecuting Christians to becoming one of Christianity's most fervent apostles, or Martin Luther, who broke away from the Catholic Church to initiate the Protestant Reformation, political converts like Sowell, Horowitz, Podhoretz, Kristol, and Chambers tend to adopt a more extreme and dogmatic stance. This phenomenon can be attributed to several factors:

1. Cognitive Dissonance: The psychological discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs can drive individuals to embrace their new ideology with fervor to resolve internal conflict.
2. Zeal of the Converted: Converts often need to prove their loyalty to their new beliefs, leading them to be more vocal and extreme in their advocacy.
3. Moral Certainty: Having experienced and rejected their former beliefs, converts often develop a strong moral conviction that their new ideology is not only correct but imperative to uphold.

J.D. Vance's political evolution adds another dimension to the pattern of ideological conversion. Vance, a Yale Law School graduate, initially held anti-Trump views and was seen as a critical voice against the populist wave. However, his perspective shifted dramatically, and he became a prominent supporter of Donald Trump and the "MAGA" (Make America Great Again) movement. Vance's transformation is marked by his embrace of protectionist economic policies and a strong anti-intellectual stance, which contrasts sharply with his academic background. His book, "Hillbilly Elegy," reflects his journey from the working-class Rust Belt to the elite circles of Yale and back to a populist, nationalist ideology. Vance's rhetoric often includes vehement criticism of the academic and political elites he once was a member of, underscoring a rejection of his previous views.

In Vance's case, his stances as Trump's vice presidential candidate in 2024 make him more conservative than Trump in his populism, isolationist nationalism, anti-intellectualism, and protectionism.

A second look at Vance's possible role as Trump's VP and Senate leader might indicate some dangerous changes:

Abandoning Ukraine and NATO: this could invite further expansion of the Authoritarian Axis formed already by Iran, Russia, and China over Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

Further polarization: between urban, college-educated Americans and rural, Heartland Americans, returning to the fifties and seventies fractures and even an "Antebellum" social climate.

These concerns might be balanced by institutional limitations and Trump's lack of interest in embracing cultural wars beyond his political and personal priorities. Still, both arguments look extremely weak at this point.

 

From Pro to Anti: Five Cases of Zeal of the Converted

1. Thomas Sowell

Thomas Sowell began his intellectual journey as a Marxist, influenced by Karl Marx's economic theories. However, his experiences working within the government and extensive economics study led him to reject Marxism. Sowell's shift was marked by a rigorous critique of socialist policies and an embrace of free-market capitalism. He became a prominent advocate for limited government intervention and economic freedom, often criticizing the ideas he once supported.

2. David Horowitz

In his memoir "Radical Son," David Horowitz details his transition from a Marxist intellectual and member of the New Left to a staunch conservative. Horowitz's disillusionment with the left began with the murder of his friend Betty Van Patter, which he believed was linked to the Black Panther Party. This traumatic event catalyzed his departure from Marxism. He became a vehement critic of leftist ideologies, arguing that they were fundamentally flawed and dangerous. Horowitz's conversion mirrored the intensity and zeal of a religious transformation, leading him to adopt a more extreme and uncompromising stance against his former beliefs.

3. Norman Podhoretz

Initially a member of the left-leaning intellectual community, Norman Podhoretz underwent a significant ideological transformation. As the editor of "Commentary" magazine, Podhoretz shifted the publication's orientation from liberal to neoconservative. His disillusionment with the cultural and political developments of the 1960s and 1970s played a crucial role in his conversion. Podhoretz's writings became increasingly critical of liberal policies and supportive of a strong national defense and free-market principles.

4. Irving Kristol

Irving Kristol, often regarded as the "godfather" of neoconservatism, started his political life as a Trotskyist. Over time, Kristol became disenchanted with leftist ideologies, particularly in the context of the Cold War and the perceived failures of socialist policies. He founded and edited influential publications like "The Public Interest," which advocated for pragmatic and conservative approaches to social and economic issues. Kristol's journey from Marxism to neoconservatism was characterized by a growing skepticism of government intervention and a belief in the virtues of capitalism and democracy.

5. Whittaker Chambers

Whittaker Chambers' transformation from a Communist spy to a fervent anti-Communist is one of the most dramatic conversions. His break with Communism culminated in his testimony against Alger Hiss, a pivotal moment in American Cold War history. Chambers' "Witness" autobiography portrays his conversion as a profound moral and spiritual awakening. His denunciation of Communism was absolute, and he became an ardent advocate for conservative values and anti-Communist policies.