Summary of Is the Ultra-Right Anti-Intellectual? Reflections on the Contemporary Intellectual

Summary of the Video

The video titled "Is the Ultra-Right Anti-Intellectual? Reflections on the Contemporary Intellectual" features a discussion on the intersection of intellectualism and far-right movements, particularly focusing on Brazil's political landscape. The event is organized as part of the Paradox of Emancipation project and highlights the complex role of knowledge in contemporary democracies, especially in the context of rising far-right ideologies.

Key Points:

• Context and Background:

  The discussion is framed within the context of Brazilian democracy's crisis, tracing events from the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff in 2016 to the rise of Jair Bolsonaro in 2018. The speakers aim to explore how these political shifts relate to broader epistemic issues and the concept of Post-Truth.

• Post-Truth and Democracy:

  The speakers argue that the current political climate is characterized by a Post-Truth perspective, where misinformation and conspiracy theories undermine democratic institutions. They emphasize the need to rethink the relationship between knowledge and democracy, proposing that knowledge can play both emancipatory and authoritarian roles.

• Far-Right Intellectualism:

  The discussion delves into the notion that the far-right is often perceived as anti-intellectual. However, the speakers argue that this perspective overlooks the sophisticated rhetorical strategies employed by far-right intellectuals who engage with and manipulate knowledge to advance their agendas. They highlight that far-right movements have their own intellectual figures who challenge the established leftist narratives.

• Influence of Social Media:

  The role of social media is underscored as a significant factor in the rise of far-right movements, facilitating the dissemination of ideas and creating new forms of political engagement. The speakers note that this digital landscape allows for the emergence of new intellectual figures who may not fit traditional definitions of intellectualism but wield considerable influence.

• Comparative Analysis:

  The conversation touches on comparisons between the Brazilian far-right and similar movements in the United States and Europe, noting how Brazilian far-right leaders like Bolsonaro draw on a mix of international influences while also developing unique local narratives.

• Intellectual Responses to Crisis:

  The speakers call for a reassessment of how intellectuals engage with the public and the political sphere, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of intellectualism that transcends traditional academic boundaries. They argue that intellectuals must adapt to the changing political landscape and the emotional dimensions of contemporary discourse.

• Future Directions:

  The discussion concludes with a recognition of the need for ongoing research into the dynamics of far-right intellectualism and its implications for democracy, emphasizing the importance of understanding these movements in their specific contexts while also recognizing broader global trends.

Contributors:

• Bernardo Bianchi
• Oliver Presh
• George (last name not specified in the subtitles)
• Additional contributors include various scholars and researchers mentioned throughout the discussion.

Notable Quotes

— 31:26 — « It's very important to know the enemy. »

— 31:30 — « The Brazilian far right is a complex multifaceted field. »

— 31:51 — « The far right in Brazil has a very radical and explicit agenda against any kind of critical theory. »

— 34:59 — « Brazil is not an open ground where we intend to build things for our people; we have to disconstruct a lot of things to undo a lot of things. »

— 49:30 — « The far right's intellectuals are not just anti-intellectuals; they are engaged in a different dynamic. »

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