Introduction
In "The Authoritarian Moment," conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro presents a stark warning about the state of American democracy. He argues that a small but vocal minority of "woke" leftists has infiltrated and taken control of major institutions in the United States, from universities and corporations to the media and even scientific establishments. This authoritarian left, Shapiro contends, is actively working to silence dissent, stifle free speech, and impose their worldview on the majority of Americans who disagree with them.
The book paints a picture of a nation at a crossroads, where the foundational principles of free speech, open debate, and diversity of thought are under threat. Shapiro calls on the "silent majority" of Americans to stand up against this creeping authoritarianism and reclaim the values that have long defined American democracy.
The Assault on Free Speech
One of the central themes of "The Authoritarian Moment" is the erosion of free speech in America. Shapiro argues that the once-cherished right to express unpopular opinions is now under constant attack from the authoritarian left.
The Chilling Effect
Shapiro cites a poll by the Cato Institute showing that a majority of Americans across the political spectrum are now afraid to voice their true opinions. This fear is particularly pronounced among conservatives, with 77% reporting that they self-censor. Ironically, the only group that feels truly comfortable expressing their views are those who identify as "strong liberals."
This climate of fear has created a chilling effect on open discourse. People are increasingly reluctant to speak their minds, fearing social ostracism, professional consequences, or even physical threats. Shapiro argues that this self-censorship is exactly what the authoritarian left wants – a populace too scared to challenge their ideology.
The Parler Incident
To illustrate the power of the authoritarian left to silence dissent, Shapiro recounts the story of Parler, a social media platform launched in 2018 as an alternative to Twitter and Facebook. Parler positioned itself as a "free speech" platform where users could express a wide range of political views without fear of censorship.
However, in the wake of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, Parler was swiftly deplatformed. Google and Apple removed the app from their stores, and Amazon Web Services cut off Parler's access to its cloud infrastructure. This effectively killed the platform overnight.
Shapiro argues that this coordinated action against Parler was not about preventing violence or protecting democracy, but about silencing a platform that allowed conservative voices to be heard. He points out that Facebook and Twitter, which were much more widely used by the Capitol rioters, faced no such consequences.
This incident, in Shapiro's view, demonstrates the willingness of Big Tech companies to use their power to suppress viewpoints they disagree with, even in the absence of clear evidence of wrongdoing.
The Takeover of Higher Education
Shapiro dedicates significant attention to what he sees as the leftist capture of America's universities. He argues that institutions of higher learning, once bastions of free inquiry and diverse thought, have become indoctrination centers for progressive ideology.
The Ideological Monoculture
To support his claim, Shapiro cites surveys from Harvard and Yale showing an overwhelming liberal bias among faculty members. At Harvard, over 83% of faculty identified as liberal or very liberal, with only 1.46% identifying as conservative. The numbers at Yale were similarly skewed, with 75% of faculty identifying as liberal and only 9% as conservative.
This ideological imbalance, Shapiro argues, has created an echo chamber in academia where progressive ideas go unchallenged and conservative viewpoints are marginalized or outright silenced.
The Rise of "Wokeness"
Shapiro contends that universities have become breeding grounds for what he terms "wokeism" – a hyper-progressive ideology that emphasizes concepts like microaggressions, trigger warnings, and preferred pronouns. This new orthodoxy, he argues, is intolerant of dissent and quick to label any disagreement as a form of bigotry or oppression.
He cites several examples of professors facing backlash for expressing views that go against the prevailing progressive narrative. For instance, when evolutionary biologist Bret Weinstein opposed a day of racial segregation at Evergreen State College, he faced intense protests and was effectively forced off campus.
Shapiro argues that this environment is antithetical to the purpose of higher education, which should be to challenge students' preconceptions and expose them to a wide range of ideas.
Corporate America's Capitulation
Another major focus of "The Authoritarian Moment" is the way in which American corporations have embraced progressive causes and rhetoric. Shapiro argues that this shift is not driven by genuine conviction, but by fear of the authoritarian left's ability to damage their brands through boycotts and social media campaigns.
The Rise of Woke Capitalism
Shapiro points to the wave of corporate statements in support of Black Lives Matter following the death of George Floyd in 2020. He argues that these statements, often from companies with no obvious connection to racial justice issues, were attempts to preemptively shield themselves from accusations of racism.
This trend, which Shapiro dubs "woke capitalism," extends beyond mere statements. Many companies have implemented diversity training programs, set hiring quotas based on race and gender, and adopted internal policies that reflect progressive ideologies.
The Dangers of Corporate Conformity
While these actions may seem benign or even positive on the surface, Shapiro warns that they create a culture of conformity within corporations that stifles dissent and can lead to unjust treatment of employees.
He cites examples of employees being fired for expressing views that go against the progressive orthodoxy, such as Cisco employees who were terminated for saying "All Lives Matter." Shapiro argues that this creates an environment where employees are afraid to voice their true opinions, leading to a kind of corporate totalitarianism.
Moreover, Shapiro contends that many of these diversity initiatives are actually counterproductive. He cites research suggesting that diversity training can increase, rather than decrease, discrimination in the workplace.
The Politicization of Science
One of the most concerning trends Shapiro identifies is the infiltration of progressive ideology into the realm of science. He argues that even fields that should be based on objective fact and empirical evidence have become subject to political pressure from the authoritarian left.
The COVID-19 Double Standard
To illustrate this point, Shapiro focuses on the scientific community's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020.
He notes that for months, public health officials had been adamant about the need for social distancing and avoiding large gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus. However, when the Black Lives Matter protests erupted following the death of George Floyd, many of these same officials suddenly changed their tune.
Shapiro cites an open letter signed by over 1,000 public health specialists that supported the protests, calling them "vital to the national public health." At the same time, these experts continued to condemn other types of gatherings, such as protests against lockdown measures.
This double standard, Shapiro argues, reveals that many in the scientific community are willing to bend or ignore the facts when it suits their political agenda. He contends that this politicization of science undermines public trust in scientific institutions and makes it harder to address real public health challenges.
The Dangers of Ideological Science
Shapiro warns that when science becomes subordinate to ideology, it ceases to be science at all. Instead, it becomes a tool for advancing political agendas, regardless of what the data actually shows.
This trend, he argues, is particularly dangerous because it allows the authoritarian left to claim the mantle of "science" to support their positions, even when those positions are not actually backed by scientific evidence. This makes it harder for dissenters to challenge these ideas, as they can be accused of being "anti-science."
The Silent Majority and the Path Forward
Despite the grim picture he paints of America's institutions, Shapiro remains optimistic about the future. He believes that the majority of Americans reject the authoritarian left's ideology and tactics, but have been cowed into silence.
Breaking the Silence
Shapiro calls on this "silent majority" to find their voice and push back against the creeping authoritarianism. He argues that the power of the woke minority is largely illusory, sustained only by the acquiescence of those who disagree but are afraid to speak up.
To combat this, Shapiro encourages readers to:
- Embrace independent thinking and be willing to voice unpopular opinions
- Prioritize facts over feelings, even when those facts are uncomfortable
- Look beyond partisan divisions and focus on defending fundamental democratic values
- Use their economic power to support institutions that uphold free speech and diversity of thought
Learning from History
Shapiro draws inspiration from the American Founding Fathers, particularly Thomas Jefferson. He argues that the current moment requires the same courage and conviction that the Founders showed in standing up to British tyranny.
Just as Jefferson and his contemporaries refused to silently accept the abuses of King George III, Shapiro calls on modern Americans to refuse to accept the dictates of the authoritarian left. He argues that by speaking out and actively shaping the future, Americans can preserve the democracy that the Founders built.
Conclusion
"The Authoritarian Moment" is a call to action for Americans who value free speech, open debate, and diversity of thought. Ben Shapiro argues that these foundational principles of American democracy are under threat from an authoritarian left that has gained control of many of the country's most important institutions.
Through examples from higher education, corporate America, the media, and even the scientific community, Shapiro builds a case that this authoritarian movement is actively working to silence dissent and impose its worldview on the majority of Americans who disagree with it.
However, Shapiro remains hopeful. He believes that the silent majority of Americans who reject this authoritarianism can reclaim their voice and their institutions. By standing up, speaking out, and actively defending democratic values, Shapiro argues that Americans can push back against this authoritarian moment and preserve the freedoms that have long defined their nation.
The book serves as both a warning and a rallying cry. It challenges readers to recognize the threats to their freedoms and to take action to defend them. Whether one agrees with all of Shapiro's arguments or not, "The Authoritarian Moment" provides a thought-provoking analysis of current cultural and political trends in America and offers a passionate defense of the principles of free speech and open debate.