Quinn Slobodian on the “New Fusion” of Neoliberalism and the Far Right (Part 2)

From Democracy in Question? by Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy

November 12, 2025 · 1h 2m · Season 11 · Episode 3

About this episode

Quinn Slobodian discusses the alliance between neoliberals and the far right and its implications for democracy.

This episode focuses on Slobodian’s latest book, Hayek’s Bastards, which reveals how some neoliberals forged an alliance with segments of the far right to roll back the progressive achievements of the post WWII era, eroding the very foundations of democracy. Why did the end of the Cold War trigger new fears among them and how did this eventually lead to an illiberal, soft authoritarian turn? What is the epochal significance of framing anti-progressive and anti-egalitarian political ideologies and agendas in the language of socio-biology and economics. How can ideas about the deregulated free market be reconciled with hard border control and ethno-racial arguments against immigration? Tune in to hear Quinn Slobodian explain what the neoliberal justifications of inequality and hierarchy mean for the future of our democracies.

People in this episode

Host: Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy

Guest: Quinn Slobodian

Topics covered

neoliberalism
far right
democracy
post WWII
authoritarianism
socio-biology
immigration

Keywords

neoliberalism
far right
democracy
Hayek’s Bastards
authoritarianism
socio-biology
immigration
inequality
progressive achievements

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy

Books & works: Hayek’s Bastards