Make Racism Great Again? The Rise of Identity Politics on the Right with Cody Cook

In this bonus episode, I sit down with Cody Cook to wrestle with some uncomfortable questions facing the liberty movement today. We talk about the rise of identity politics—not just on the left, but increasingly on the right—and whether libertarianism can offer a true alternative or if it’s being co-opted by tribal instincts and reactionary impulses. Using Jeff Deist’s controversial “blood and soil” quote as a starting point, we explore how freedom of association intersects with issues of nationalism, racism, and open borders.

Can liberty thrive in a society fragmenting along cultural and tribal lines? Is decentralization enough, or do we need a shared moral foundation to preserve peace and voluntary cooperation? We reflect on Rothbard’s Nations by Consent, the Christian nationalist temptation, and whether becoming a republic again is a prerequisite to building a voluntaryist future. It’s a challenging but necessary conversation on where liberty and principle must stand in a world increasingly defined by group identity.

Additional Resources

• “Christian Nationalism & Christian Libertarianism w/ Stephen Wolfe & Alex Bernardo”
  A panel discussion that dives into the tension between collectivist identity politics and the Christian vision of liberty, featuring contrasting views on Christian nationalism.
  https://libertarianchristians.com/2024/03/20/christian-nationalism-christian-libertarianism/
• “Why Are Some Libertarians Critical of Javier Milei? w/ Brian Nichols”
  Examines libertarian reactions to nationalist figures and the question of whether pragmatism should trump principle in political engagement.
  https://libertarianchristians.com/2024/04/10/why-are-some-libertarians-critical-of-javier-milei/
• “LCI Roundtable – Return of Christian Nationalism?”
  A candid roundtable conversation unpacking the resurgence of nationalist sentiment among Christians and how libertarians should respond.
  https://libertarianchristians.com/2024/04/11/lci-roundtable-april-2024-return-of-christian-nationalism/
• “Is There A Political Path to Liberty? w/ Mises Caucus Chair Aaron Harris”
  Explores libertarian political strategy in the face of a culture increasingly driven by populism and tribalism.
  https://libertarianchristians.com/2024/05/06/is-there-a-political-path-to-liberty/
• “The Economics of Empire: Is the State Inefficient or Evil? w/ Clint Russell”
  Breaks down the incentives behind empire-building and how nationalism often serves as cover for centralization and control.
  https://libertarianchristians.com/2024/04/25/the-economics-of-empire-is-the-state-inefficient-or-evil/