Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory

This article is about conspiracies stemming from cultural Marxism. For cultural Marxism in the context of defining it, see Cultural Marxism.

The "Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory" posits that a group of Jewish Marxists from the Frankfurt School have gradually reshaped society and public opinion by abandoning the original Marxist goal of an international working-class revolution in favor of a slow, insidious takeover of culture. This theory claims that under banners such as "political correctness" and "multiculturalism," these so-called "Cultural Marxists" have indoctrinated the West, eroding foundations like Christianity, family, and national identity in favor of mass immigration, sexual liberation, and moral decline. Allegedly, this cultural shift has been so successful that "Cultural Marxists" now control key societal institutions, leaving their opponents marginalized and struggling to reclaim their Western, Christian heritage. This theory has permeated both fringe and mainstream political discourse, often intersecting with broader right-wing conspiracies. However, this narrative is deeply flawed and misrepresents both the influence and intentions of the Frankfurt School.

Background

In reality, the Frankfurt School was a small group of mostly Jewish Marxist scholars committed to developing an interdisciplinary critique of capitalism, known as Critical theory. Far from orchestrating a covert cultural revolution, their work aimed to understand why the proletarian revolution predicted by traditional Marxism had not occurred in Western Europe. They identified factors like nationalism, bureaucracy, consumerism, and fascism as impediments to the revolution.

Key figures of the Frankfurt School included Max Horkheimer, Theodor Adorno, Herbert Marcuse, Erich Fromm, Walter Benjamin, Leo Löwenthal, Franz Neumann, and Otto Kirchheimer. The rise of the Nazis forced these scholars to emigrate to the United States, where they reestablished their institute at Columbia University. The Institute for Social Research exists in Germany, perpetuating the broader intellectual tradition of Critical Theory.

The notion of "Cultural Marxism"

While some Frankfurt School members, such as Erich Fromm and Herbert Marcuse, did influence the New Left in the 1960s, the notion of "Cultural Marxism" as a widespread, coordinated movement is a gross exaggeration. Critical Theory itself does not encompass the diverse fields often lumped together under the "Cultural Marxism" label, such as postmodernism and feminist scholarship. These fields do not uniformly align ideologically with Critical Theory, nor do they typically use the term "Cultural Marxism."

Moreover, the term "Cultural Marxism" is seldom found in Marxist literature. When it does appear, as in the work of philosopher Fredric Jameson, it refers primarily to aesthetics rather than to any specific commitment to the Frankfurt School. In essence, "Cultural Marxism" as a coherent intellectual movement does not exist, debunking the conspiracy theory narrative.

Additionally, although some versions of the Cultural Marxism theory do not explicitly emphasize the Jewish backgrounds of Frankfurt School members, the theory often relies on antisemitic tropes. This parallels historical antisemitic conspiracy theories such as "Jewish Bolshevism," which depicted the Russian Revolution as a Jewish-led plot, and the infamous forgery, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which falsely claimed a Jewish-Masonic conspiracy to dominate Christian civilization. These spurious connections further discredit the notion of Cultural Marxism, revealing it as a modern iteration of age-old prejudices.

Conspiracy Theories and Public Perception

Liberals frequently decry conspiracy theories for their potential threats to public safety. Events such as the 2016 armed harassment of a Washington DC pizzeria, spurred by QAnon claims of a fictitious Clinton-linked pedophile ring, and the 2020 destruction of a 5G tower by a man fearing that 5G technology was responsible for spreading COVID-19, despite scientific consensus and numerous expert statements discrediting the claims. Such theories underscore the tangible dangers of conspiratorial thinking. These high-profile incidents, though criminal and disruptive, had limited broader societal impacts.

However, not all conspiracy theories exist solely on the fringes of political discourse. Some scholars and commentators argue that even liberal conspiracy theories can, at times, become equally misguided and harmful.

The Spectrum of Conspiracism

Conspiracy theories are often depicted as belonging to the extremist fringes of either the right or left wings of politics. Journalists like David Aaronovitch and philosophers such as Quassim Cassam highlight that fallacious conspiratorial thinking can emerge from both ends of the political spectrum.

Right-Wing Conspiracism

Right-wing conspiracy theories usually present a binary narrative of good versus evil, often involving sexist, racist, and nationalist elements. Common themes include fears of "great replacement" concerning the decline of white populations in the West and vilification of progressive philanthropists like George Soros, accused of funding social movements like Black Lives Matter.

Left-Wing Conspiracism

On the left, conspiracy theories also surface, with some individuals excessively attributing civil unrest to Western interference. Platforms such as RT, the Russian news network, have been accused of portraying pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong and Iran as Western-orchestrated plots, a notion detailed by academic Grażyna Piechota.

More sinister and historically ingrained are left-wing antisemitic conspiracies, which wrongly attribute societal issues to the alleged influence and power of Jewish individuals. This strain of conspiracism, notoriously termed "the socialism of fools," suggests that international Jewish wealth and influence are to blame for social injustices and economic crises.

The Impact of Cultural Marxism Conspiracy Theories

The Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory fits into this broader context of politically charged misinformation. It alleges that Marxist intellectuals and elites aim to dismantle Western cultural norms to instigate a socialist overhaul. This notion has gained traction across various media, influencing public discourse and reinforcing ideological divides. By examining its origins and implications, it’s clear how such theories perpetuate misunderstanding and conflict within society, illustrating the importance of evidence-based analysis in counteracting misinformation.

Criticism of the Term "Cultural Marxism"

According to Lee Jussim, Ph.D., a social psychologist with extensive experience in social perception and stereotypes, the term "Cultural Marxism" should be avoided. He argues that the term has been exploited by bad actors for malicious purposes, and critiques from left-wing media and academic circles have conflated right-wing positions that are neither antisemitic nor conspiracy theories with those of genuinely antisemitic individuals.

Jussim suggests alternative terms like the "successor ideology," "wokism," or the "illiberal left" to describe this modern form of radicalism, as they avoid the problematic connotations associated with "Cultural Marxism" while still addressing the ideological shifts from Marxism's original focus on class to issues of culture, ethnicity, and minoritized identities.

He advises that when encountering sources using the term "Cultural Marxism," it is crucial to discern whether they are engaging in antisemitic propaganda. Indicators include explicit references to Jews or suggestions of a Jewish conspiracy to push radical ideas, often signaled through dog whistles like "Soros," "globalists," and "bankers." Conversely, sources that criticize an ideological movement under the name "Cultural Marxism" without these antisemitic connotations may be incorrect but are not necessarily promoting antisemitism or conspiracy theories.