Tech’s Philosopher Kings: Thiel, Karp, and the Ideology of the New Right

The “Tech Right" is a movement centered on Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and thinkers who are shaping the landscape of American political thought. Its goals go beyond championing technological innovation as essential for social progress. They also advance challenging arguments about the legitimacy of democracy, the nature of political power, the boundaries of national identity, and the strength of liberal institutions. In this seminar we will read some of the leading thinkers of the “Tech Right,” examining their shared commitments as well as their deep disagreements.

Join Professor Richard John and Chitkara Hirsch (Columbia) for this series on tech’s philosopher kings. Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP for each session on the individual pages linked below.

Schedule

Tuesday, September 16 at 6:00 PM | Peter Thiel and the Straussian Moment

Reading: Peter Thiel’s “The Straussian Moment.”

Tuesday, September 23 at 6:00 PM | Alex Karp and the Technological Republic

Reading: excerpts from Alex Karp’s The Technological Republic.

Tuesday, September 30 at 6:00 PM | Curtis Yarvin and James Burnham

Reading: Curtis Yarvin’s “The Case against Democracy: Ten Red Pills” and excerpts from James Burnham’s The Managerial Revolution.

Tuesday, October 7 at 6:00 PM | Srinivasan and the Network State

Reading: Balaji Srinivasan’s The Network State.