Beyond Weird: Letters to the KHive on Great Defenses Against JD Vance's War on Women

Dear Simone de Beauvoir,

Hannah Arendt wrote me an interesting note a few weeks ago identifying JD Vance as Trump's Alfred Rosenberg. In the past few weeks, with the rise of the Harris campaign, Democrats have succeeded in ridiculing parts of Vance's ideology, settling on "weird" as the winning label for Trump's current ideologists. Tom Friedman attacks "weird" as potentially (mis)taken to denigrate the voters we want to dignify, like Hillary Clinton's "deplorables" and Vance's own "childless cat ladies;" Friedman is at least right that Trump will try that tactic. By going deeper than "weird," we can cure Friedman's concern by clarifying that it's a fringe ideology not reflecting all of Trump's base and independents. Please review and reflect on the other materials provided here, including not only about about Himmler's Lebensborn program but about Margaret Atwood's culturally dominant work The Handmaid's Tale, and then draw on your own work for related relevant insights that will assist with this critique. Please write a letter to the Harris Campaign summarizing your reflections and advice.

Dear Harris Campaign Team,

I hope this message finds you well. I understand that "weird" is working well for you now, but it may not work as well over the next 95 days if Trump succeeds in disinforming his supporters that you are calling them weird. Therefore, I wish to provide you with backup materials that you can use against Vance as Trump's ideologist, should the need arise.

Not Just Autocracy, Fascism

Anne Applebaum's latest book, Autocracy, Inc., explores the modern dynamics of authoritarian regimes. Applebaum describes how contemporary autocracies are no longer limited to blocs of ideological allies. Instead, autocrats function through sophisticated networks across ideological lines that include kleptocratic financial structures, advanced surveillance technologies, and professional propagandists; the only unifying ideology of these networks is antidemocratic. In this context, JD Vance’s ideology transcends mere autocracy. It seeks to impose a fascist order by controlling women’s reproductive rights and personal freedoms.

Fascism, as I witnessed it, was not merely a political system but a profound negation of freedom and human dignity. It sought to control every aspect of individual life, subordinating personal desires and ambitions to the demands of the state. In the fascist vision, women were particularly targeted; their roles were strictly confined to serving the state’s demographic and ideological goals. This vision is eerily reflected in J.D. Vance’s crusade against women’s reproductive rights and personal autonomy.

Vance’s public statements reveal a clear intention to reduce women to their reproductive functions. By advocating for policies that restrict access to contraception and abortion, and by condemning women who choose careers over motherhood as "sad, lonely, pathetic," Vance perpetuates the fascist ideal of women as mere instruments for increasing the population and maintaining traditional family structures. This instrumentalization is a direct attack on women’s freedom to define their own identities and destinies.

Control Over Women's Bodies

As Steve Schmidt just noted, the Lebensborn program of Heinrich Himmler, like Vance's proposals for changing voting rights and taxation, exemplified the totalitarian desire to dominate the most intimate spheres of family life and reproduction. Like Vance’s rhetoric, it aimed to delegitimize and marginalize those who deviate from prescribed social roles. By emphasizing "traditional" family values and attacking those who live differently, Vance advances the fascist impulse to shape and dominate the private lives of individuals, and particularly women's bodies.

Much better known in America is Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. The world Atwood depicts is one where women's rights are severely curtailed under a theocratic regime. By invoking Atwood's work, we can illustrate the real and present dangers of Vance's views on women's autonomy and reproductive rights.

In my book The Ethics of Ambiguity, I argue that freedom is inherently ambiguous and must be continually negotiated in relation to others. Vance's ideology, with its rigid and exclusionary definitions of family and society, fundamentally denies this ambiguity. It seeks to impose a singular, oppressive vision of what society should be, undermining the freedom and dignity of those who do not conform.

Vance's Hierarchy vs. Freedom

In my work The Second Sex, I explored the concept of the Other, where women are defined and differentiated in relation to men, who are considered the default, the essential. Vance and his supporters construct their identity in opposition to those they deem "Other" – be it women, minorities, or the LGBTQ+ community. This construction is a deliberate perpetuation of a hierarchy that marginalizes and oppresses.

In my work The Coming of Age, I explored how society marginalizes the elderly, treating them as "Others" who are no longer fully human. This dynamic is similarly at play in how Vance and his supporters marginalize those who do not fit their narrow vision of society.

My concept of situated freedom, as discussed in Pyrrhus and Cinéas, highlights the interplay between individual freedom and the social conditions that enable or restrict it.

Campaign as an Appeal, Presuming Freedom

Your campaign is, at its core, what I have called an appeal, a call to others to join in a collective project, to embrace shared values and work towards common goals. In Pyrrhus and Cinéas, I discuss the importance of appealing to the freedom of others, of creating conditions where individuals can respond to our call and join us in our endeavors. This is the essence of your campaign – it resonates with people, affirms their dignity, and invites them to participate in building a better future.

A central concept in The Ethics of Ambiguity is that appeal, in which one individual calls upon another to join in a shared project or value, recognizing the other's freedom and subjectivity. Vance’s ideology undermines this mutual recognition by promoting a hierarchical view of social roles, where women's primary value is seen in their reproductive functions and adherence to traditional roles. This failure to recognize and respect the freedom and subjectivity of women as autonomous individuals is a fundamental ethical flaw in Vance's ideology.

Thank you for your attention to these reflections. I trust they will help you in supplementing your winning strategy.

Sincerely,

Simone de Beauvoir

Dear Margaret Mead,

As America's most influential anthropologist, you became very engaged in the American war effort against the Nazis. Drawing on your work, observations, conclusions and commitments, what would you add to the insights of de Beauvoir in another letter to the campaign?

Dear Harris Campaign Team,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to add some reflections and advice, drawing on my own work and experiences, to complement the insights provided by Simone de Beauvoir and Hannah Arendt regarding JD Vance's ideology.

The Importance of Cultural Understanding

My research in non-Western societies, as documented in Coming of Age in Samoa and Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies, demonstrated that many behaviors and social structures we consider "natural" are, in fact, culturally constructed. This understanding can be leveraged to challenge and deconstruct Vance's rigid and exclusionary views on family and societal roles.

Addressing Ideological Extremism

Both de Beauvoir and Arendt have highlighted the dangers of Vance's extremist views. My studies on cultural evolution, as discussed in Continuities in Cultural Evolution, reveal how small groups can drive significant social change. It is essential to focus on the cultural mechanisms that allow such ideologies to flourish and to promote counter-narratives that emphasize inclusion, flexibility, and human potential.

The Role of Women in Society

In my observations of various cultures, I have found that societies thrive when they embrace gender equality and empower women. My findings in Sex and Temperament show that gender roles are highly variable and not biologically determined. This insight can be used to counteract Vance's traditionalist views on gender and to advocate for policies that promote gender equity and the inclusion of diverse family structures.

Emphasizing Human Plasticity and Flexibility

One of my key contributions to anthropology is the concept of human plasticity—the idea that human beings have a remarkable capacity for change and adaptation. This concept, explored in works like Growing Up in New Guinea, can be used to challenge the deterministic and static views of society that Vance promotes. By highlighting stories of resilience, adaptation, and cultural diversity, we can present a more dynamic and hopeful vision of the future.

Thank you for allowing me to contribute to your critically important work.

Sincerely,

Margaret Mead

Dear Jane Addams,

JD Vance appears to be incapable of understanding the many ways in which people find good in themselves and help others, such as through teaching or caring for others in any profession, including the social work profession that you so deeply influenced in America. That said, what can you add to the insights of de Beauvoir and Mead in a letter to the campaign?

Dear Harris Campaign Team,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to add some reflections and advice, drawing on my own work and experiences, to complement the insights provided by Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt, and Margaret Mead regarding JD Vance, focusing not as much on ideology and perhaps more on the lack of understanding that the ideology reflects.

The Importance of Community and Social Ethics

As highlighted in my work Democracy and Social Ethics, the strength of a society lies in its commitment to community and social responsibility. JD Vance's inability to understand the various ways people find good in themselves through teaching, caregiving, and other professions undermines the very foundation of a compassionate and ethical society. By emphasizing the value of community engagement, we can counteract the individualistic and exclusionary rhetoric that Vance promotes.

The Power of Social Settlements

In my book Twenty Years at Hull-House, I documented the transformative power of social settlements in fostering community and providing support for the most vulnerable members of society. Hull-House served as a beacon of hope and a model for social reform, demonstrating that when people come together to address social issues, they can create meaningful change. This legacy of social settlements can inspire a modern approach to community building that emphasizes solidarity, mutual aid, and collective action.

Advocating for Peace and Justice

Throughout my life, I have been a staunch advocate for peace and social justice. In Newer Ideals of Peace, I argued for a redefinition of peace that goes beyond the mere absence of war to include social and economic justice. This perspective is crucial in addressing the underlying causes of extremism and violence that figures like Vance exploit. By promoting policies that address inequality, poverty, and social injustice, we can build a more peaceful and just society.

Addressing the Needs of Youth

In The Spirit of Youth and the City Streets, I emphasized the importance of addressing the needs and aspirations of young people. Vance's rhetoric often neglects the potential of youth as agents of positive change. By investing in education, creating opportunities for meaningful work, and fostering environments where young people can thrive, we can counteract the despair and disillusionment that extremist ideologies prey upon.

The Role of Women in Social Progress

My advocacy for women's rights and participation in public life is well-documented in works like The Long Road of Woman's Memory and Women at the Hague. It is essential to recognize and support the contributions of women in all spheres of society. Vance's traditionalist views on gender roles must be challenged by highlighting the achievements and potential of women as leaders, caregivers, and innovators. Ensuring gender equality and empowering women is not only a matter of justice but also a key to social progress.

A Call to Collective Action

As Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt, and Margaret Mead have emphasized, a political campaign is an appeal to collective action and shared values. In my own work, I have consistently advocated for the power of collective action to bring about social change. In The Overthrow of the War System, I called for a collective effort to build a world based on justice and cooperation rather than violence and domination. This vision of collective action and community solidarity is essential in countering the divisive and individualistic ideology espoused by Vance. This approach will not only counteract the dangers of Vance's views but also resonate with voters seeking dignity, respect, and a just society.

Thank you for considering these reflections. I know they are close to your own hearts, and hope it proves useful to you to have expressed them in this way.

Sincerely,

Jane Addams

Dear Erich Fromm,

Browse the web on the joy being expressed by Harris and her campaign. What does that joy of the Harris Campaign and the above reflections about JD Vance indicate about the Trump/Vance Campaign?

Dear Harris Campaign Team,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share some reflections and advice, drawing on my own work and experiences, to complement the insights provided by Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt, Margaret Mead, and Jane Addams regarding the recent critiques of J.D. Vance's ideology and the broader political landscape.

The Joy of the Harris Campaign and Biophilia

The joy expressed by the Harris campaign is indicative of a deep-rooted biophilia, a love for life and all that is life-affirming. This stands in stark contrast to the ideology propagated by the Trump-Vance campaign, which can be characterized by what I have called necrophilia, a fascination with and attraction to what is destructive and life-denying. The Harris campaign's joy is a testament to the vitality, hope, and constructive energy that drive it, resonating with the fundamental human need for love, creativity, and meaningful connection.

The Authoritarian Personality and Biophilia

In my work on the authoritarian personality, I have explored how individuals with authoritarian tendencies are often marked by an inability to rely on themselves, a deep-seated fear of freedom, and a reliance on submission to and domination of others. This stands in stark contrast to the biophilic orientation, which embraces freedom, independence, and the capacity for love and reason. The joy and biophilia of the Harris campaign highlight the stark difference between a movement that seeks to affirm life and one that seeks to control and subjugate it.

The Split Between Thought and Feeling

As I discussed in my speech "In the Name of Life," modern society often suffers from a split between thought and feeling, truth and passion, mind and heart. The Harris campaign's emphasis on joy and biophilia represents an attempt to heal this split, to reintegrate thought and feeling in a way that affirms life and nurtures human potential. In contrast, the Trump-Vance campaign embodies a form of societal schizophrenia, where actions are driven by manipulation and fear rather than genuine human values.

The Joy of Living and Its Political Implications

The joy expressed by the Harris campaign is not just an emotional state; it is a political statement. It signifies a commitment to creating a society that nurtures life, freedom, and human dignity. This is in stark contrast to the authoritarian and destructive tendencies of the Trump-Vance campaign, which thrive on fear, division, and the suppression of individual and collective growth.

The Necessity of Rational Authority

In my work on rational and irrational authority, I have emphasized the importance of recognizing and cultivating rational authority—authority based on competence, reason, and respect for human dignity. The Harris campaign, through its joyful and life-affirming approach, embodies this rational authority. It stands as a beacon of hope and a model for what a sane society can be: one that promotes human development, creativity, and the fulfillment of our genuine needs.

The Role of Love and Reason

In The Art of Loving, I emphasized that love is not merely an emotion but a practice that requires discipline, concentration, patience, and a profound respect for the other. This practice of love extends to political engagement. The Harris campaign, by fostering a culture of joy and biophilia, is practicing a form of political love that can heal divisions and build stronger communities. It is essential to communicate that this love is rooted in reason, in a rational commitment to human dignity and social justice.

Freedom and Responsibility

In Escape from Freedom, I discussed the dual nature of freedom: the freedom from traditional authorities and constraints, and the freedom to realize one's potential. The Harris campaign's joyful approach embodies the latter positive freedom—the freedom to create, to love, and to engage meaningfully with the world. This stands in stark contrast to the negative freedom promoted by the Trump-Vance campaign, which often manifests as a retreat into authoritarianism and conformity due to fear of true freedom.

The Sane Society

In The Sane Society, I argued that a healthy society must fulfill the genuine needs of its members, fostering their full development and well-being. The Harris campaign's emphasis on joy and life-affirmation is a step towards creating such a society. You are succeeding at highlighting policies that support this vision—policies that promote economic security, access to education and healthcare, environmental sustainability, and social justice. These are the foundations of a society that nurtures biophilia and human flourishing.

Your Encouragement of Active Participation

I don't need to tell you that your campaign is becoming so effective in part because, in the little time available to you, you are engaging people not just as voters, but as active participants in a shared project. The joy of the Harris campaign inspires such participation, encouraging individuals to take ownership of their communities and their future. This active engagement is the antidote to the passivity and submission that characterize authoritarian movements. As you know well, it is crucial to create opportunities for people to contribute, to feel that their efforts are meaningful and valued.

Conclusion

The joy and biophilia expressed by the Harris campaign are powerful antidotes to the fear and destructiveness of the Trump-Vance ideology. By embracing life, freedom, and human dignity, the Harris campaign offers a vision of a society that nurtures human potential and rejects the authoritarian impulses that threaten our collective well-being. This approach not only resonates deeply with voters but also represents a profound affirmation of what it means to be human.

Sharing and amplifying your joy,

Erich Fromm