This is an excellent and short documentary touching on the origins, key figures, and development of cultural marxism. It is essential viewing to begin to understand the subject:
Cultural marxism lies at the very heart of nearly every problem affecting the state of western civilization today. It is no wonder, as it was created to destroy western civilization. The cultural marxists are doing a damn fine job of it too. Honestly, I am glad to hear the phrase gaining traction. When I first watched the above video I couldn't remember reading about cultural marxism anywhere in the manosphere, although I am sure it was hidden somewhere.
I would personally describe cultural marxism as a radical cult of egalitarianism.
I thought cardguy gave a decent synopsis of cultural marxism right up until he waxed enthusiastic for Karl Marx. If you could invent a time machine, and please keep this in mind in case you ever do, I think Marx would be a prime candidate for extermination.
Unlike cardguy, I don't see cultural marxism as an idea that has run away with itself resulting in malaise, but as succeeding thus far in bringing about the actual destruction of western civilization in both spirit and substance. It is remarkable to think about the "progress" made by the Frankfurt school and it's disciples. Well, it is only progress if you consider yourself a progressive. I try not to let the left get away with calling themselves "liberals" anymore because their philosophy is so far from classical liberalism. So, let's review the progress of the last 100 years or so, shall we:
1) Destruction of freedom of thought and freedom of speech through critical theory. What else is political correctness but an atmosphere of punishment and censure of one's own thoughts and speech. This has already culminated in hate speech and hate crime laws in many countries and attempts in America.
2) Destruction of logic. With the destruction of freedom of thought and speech comes the destruction of logic, especially as persecuted through critical theory. This gives way to postmodernist thought, multiculturalism, and such inane drivel as "gender and race are societal constructs."
3) Destruction of faith. A promotion of atheism and an attempt to ridicule particularly Christians of their faith and heritage as anachronistic and ignorant instead of timeless and wise. Cultural marxists succeeded at asking "Is God dead" on the front cover of Time magazine in 1966.
4) Destruction of racial consciousness for European majorities, except for just enough to maintain a feeling of collective guilt for the past sins of slavery and colonialism. Anti-discrimination laws, forced integration laws.
5) Promotion of racial consciousness amongst minorities - groups such as the NAACP or National Council of La Raza. Anti-majority and anti-meritocracy laws such as quota based systems and affirmative action are implemented.
6) Destruction of gender roles, sexual norms, and any form of cultural restraint of sex. Masculine, aggressive women. Submissive, passive men. State subsidized birth control. Legal abortions.
7) Promotion of sexual perversion, homosexuality, and promiscuity as normal. Are you LGBT or "cis-male"? High notch counts.
8) Negative portrayal of family, marriage, and raising of children. To most women, raising a child today means you are a loser if you are stay at home mom. You couldn't hack it in your career, so you wanted to be a slave to a man and work at home for free? Draconian divorce and family court laws.
9) The assumed psychological state of victim taught to the majority, leading an entire country of people in America whom conquered a continent to identify more with a helpless proletariat than their ancestors who were evil.
10) Demographic collapse of European, and European American civilization resulting in massive third world immigration and destruction of the culture. Not reproducing is seen as "responsible" for the environment. Immigrants are rewarded for assuming their racial, cultural, and religious identities as victim groups against a racist, xenophobic, white majority bitterly clinging to their bibles and guns.
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I would say the cultural marxists have done a bang up job. It is mind boggling that a society could be transformed so rapidly actually. Most of these changes are in the past 50 years. What is the eventual end of these changes? How can the problems created be solved? Ask a "progressive" and the answer is to tax the 1%, the bourgeoisie, and we can work together through the government to solve our problems. We just need better social programs right? From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs. Who said the plan to use cultural marxism to gain economic marxism never worked?