The Influential Figures and Groups Behind JD Vance’s Unique Worldview
Here's a revised version of the article description: Post-liberals, “crunchy cons,” and monarchists.
TroibNews 
JD Vance stands as a unique figure within the MAGA movement, embodying a national Republican whose ties run deep into the realm of conservative intellectualism, often referred to as "the New Right" or "the dissident right."
Vance has admitted that he is "plugged into a lot of weird, right-wing subcultures." His shift from a Never-Trump conservative to a MAGA advocate was substantially shaped by his connections with certain conservative writers and thinkers, including proponents of post-liberal regime change, admirers of Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, and even a monarchist. This group, though diverse in their views, shares a common belief that the liberal concept of "progress," particularly through economic liberalization, technological growth, and the flattening of social hierarchies, has been detrimental.
While these thinkers are not widely known, their proximity to Vance, who is a key GOP figure, nearly places them within reach of direct White House influence. Below are some of the influential figures in JD Vance’s intellectual development, who might shape national trajectories if the GOP succeeds in upcoming elections.
Patrick Deneen, a professor at the University of Notre Dame, gained recognition with his 2018 book, "Why Liberalism Failed," which critiqued small-l liberalism and endorsed a communitarian approach to politics. His subsequent work, "Regime Change," calls for replacing liberalism with a "postliberal order" that emphasizes conservative and religious values over individual rights. Vance has often mentioned Deneen as a significant influence and aligned himself with the "postliberal right" during a panel at the book’s launch.
Peter Thiel, known as Vance’s former boss and his 2022 Senate campaign's main financier, has been a major intellectual and personal influence. Their relationship began in 2011 at a lecture Thiel delivered at Yale Law School, where he linked Silicon Valley’s shortcomings to America’s sociopolitical stagnation. Thiel believes that liberal policies and ineffective governance have corrupted technological advancement, famously lamenting, "We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters."
Curtish Yarvin, blogging under "Mencius Moldbug," promotes the "neo-reactionary" movement, criticizing the liberal focus on progress and suggesting that American democracy has become a corrupt oligarchy. He advocates for a monarchical, CEO-style leadership to reform the political system. Vance regards Yarvin as a friend and has echoed some of his ideas in political discussions.
René Girard, a French-born philosopher whose idea of "mimetic rivalry" and the scapegoat mechanism greatly influenced Vance. Introduced to Girard’s thoughts by Thiel, Vance credits these concepts with influencing his conversion to Catholicism and altering his approach to social media and politics.
Sohrab Ahmari, whose political journey from Trotskyism to neoconservatism culminated in a strong advocacy for "working-class conservatism," has been a vocal supporter of Trump and Vance. He praised Trump's decision to select Vance for the ticket, stating it aligned with the RNC's new platform and was suited to advance it.
The Claremont Institute, an essential hub for Trumpist thought, advocates a return to America’s founding principles and has energetically supported Trump's fight against the administrative state and modern "woke" movements. Claremont scholars have consistently endorsed Vance, seeing him as a vital ally in their efforts.
Rod Dreher, an Orthodox Christian writer and a key proponent of "The Benedict Option," encourages a resilient Christian counterculture. Dreher, an early supporter of Vance and a friend since "Hillbilly Elegy," exemplifies the intellectual crossroads of traditional conservatism and modern political realities.
These figures, each from diverse backgrounds and with unique philosophical stances, contribute to the complex intellectual foundation underpinning JD Vance’s political persona, potentially steering future policies and national discourse.The intertwined relationships and intellectual exchanges between JD Vance and these thinkers highlight a broader tumult within Republican circles. Vance's embrace of these diverse, and often controversial, viewpoints may redefine the Republican agenda, emphasizing an identity that diverges significantly from traditional conservatism.
Furthermore, the potential for these ideas to influence policy should Vance and his allies gain significant power is immense. This not only poses a challenge to the more conventional Republican strategies but also to the overall political landscape across the nation. Such a shift underscores a possible transformation from established neoliberal economic policies and liberal social norms to a regimen that seeks to reimine and restructure American society fundamentally.
As Vance continues to forward these perspectives through his political platform, one can anticipate vigorous debates within conservative sectors and broader national political discourse. Whether these discussions will translate into tangible changes in governance remains to be seen, but what is clear is that Vance's trajectory signals a notable shift in the way Republican leaders could address America's pressing issues in the future.
At the core, Vance’s ideological evolution from a critic of Trump to an advocate for a radically different conservative agenda calls attention to the fluid dynamics of political identities and alliances. How this evolution will impact the Republican party’s national strategy and its appeal to diverse voter bases could very well depend on the extent to to which Vance's intellectual influences resonate with the broader public.
In summary, Vance's potential ascent to greater political power could bring the once-fringe ideas of his intellectual circle into the mainstream, challenging both the political orthodoxy and the practical realities of governing. As the political landscape continues to shift, the ideas championed by Vance and his cohort may inspire significant transformations in American political thought and policy.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
Vance has admitted that he is "plugged into a lot of weird, right-wing subcultures." His shift from a Never-Trump conservative to a MAGA advocate was substantially shaped by his connections with certain conservative writers and thinkers, including proponents of post-liberal regime change, admirers of Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, and even a monarchist. This group, though diverse in their views, shares a common belief that the liberal concept of "progress," particularly through economic liberalization, technological growth, and the flattening of social hierarchies, has been detrimental.
While these thinkers are not widely known, their proximity to Vance, who is a key GOP figure, nearly places them within reach of direct White House influence. Below are some of the influential figures in JD Vance’s intellectual development, who might shape national trajectories if the GOP succeeds in upcoming elections.
Patrick Deneen, a professor at the University of Notre Dame, gained recognition with his 2018 book, "Why Liberalism Failed," which critiqued small-l liberalism and endorsed a communitarian approach to politics. His subsequent work, "Regime Change," calls for replacing liberalism with a "postliberal order" that emphasizes conservative and religious values over individual rights. Vance has often mentioned Deneen as a significant influence and aligned himself with the "postliberal right" during a panel at the book’s launch.
Peter Thiel, known as Vance’s former boss and his 2022 Senate campaign's main financier, has been a major intellectual and personal influence. Their relationship began in 2011 at a lecture Thiel delivered at Yale Law School, where he linked Silicon Valley’s shortcomings to America’s sociopolitical stagnation. Thiel believes that liberal policies and ineffective governance have corrupted technological advancement, famously lamenting, "We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters."
Curtish Yarvin, blogging under "Mencius Moldbug," promotes the "neo-reactionary" movement, criticizing the liberal focus on progress and suggesting that American democracy has become a corrupt oligarchy. He advocates for a monarchical, CEO-style leadership to reform the political system. Vance regards Yarvin as a friend and has echoed some of his ideas in political discussions.
René Girard, a French-born philosopher whose idea of "mimetic rivalry" and the scapegoat mechanism greatly influenced Vance. Introduced to Girard’s thoughts by Thiel, Vance credits these concepts with influencing his conversion to Catholicism and altering his approach to social media and politics.
Sohrab Ahmari, whose political journey from Trotskyism to neoconservatism culminated in a strong advocacy for "working-class conservatism," has been a vocal supporter of Trump and Vance. He praised Trump's decision to select Vance for the ticket, stating it aligned with the RNC's new platform and was suited to advance it.
The Claremont Institute, an essential hub for Trumpist thought, advocates a return to America’s founding principles and has energetically supported Trump's fight against the administrative state and modern "woke" movements. Claremont scholars have consistently endorsed Vance, seeing him as a vital ally in their efforts.
Rod Dreher, an Orthodox Christian writer and a key proponent of "The Benedict Option," encourages a resilient Christian counterculture. Dreher, an early supporter of Vance and a friend since "Hillbilly Elegy," exemplifies the intellectual crossroads of traditional conservatism and modern political realities.
These figures, each from diverse backgrounds and with unique philosophical stances, contribute to the complex intellectual foundation underpinning JD Vance’s political persona, potentially steering future policies and national discourse.The intertwined relationships and intellectual exchanges between JD Vance and these thinkers highlight a broader tumult within Republican circles. Vance's embrace of these diverse, and often controversial, viewpoints may redefine the Republican agenda, emphasizing an identity that diverges significantly from traditional conservatism.
Furthermore, the potential for these ideas to influence policy should Vance and his allies gain significant power is immense. This not only poses a challenge to the more conventional Republican strategies but also to the overall political landscape across the nation. Such a shift underscores a possible transformation from established neoliberal economic policies and liberal social norms to a regimen that seeks to reimine and restructure American society fundamentally.
As Vance continues to forward these perspectives through his political platform, one can anticipate vigorous debates within conservative sectors and broader national political discourse. Whether these discussions will translate into tangible changes in governance remains to be seen, but what is clear is that Vance's trajectory signals a notable shift in the way Republican leaders could address America's pressing issues in the future.
At the core, Vance’s ideological evolution from a critic of Trump to an advocate for a radically different conservative agenda calls attention to the fluid dynamics of political identities and alliances. How this evolution will impact the Republican party’s national strategy and its appeal to diverse voter bases could very well depend on the extent to to which Vance's intellectual influences resonate with the broader public.
In summary, Vance's potential ascent to greater political power could bring the once-fringe ideas of his intellectual circle into the mainstream, challenging both the political orthodoxy and the practical realities of governing. As the political landscape continues to shift, the ideas championed by Vance and his cohort may inspire significant transformations in American political thought and policy.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
