Imprimis Podcast Summary: "Is J.D. Vance Right about Europe?"

Podcast Information

• Title: Imprimis
• Host/Author: Hillsdale College
• Episode: Is J.D. Vance Right about Europe?
• Release Date: July 23, 2025
• Description: Imprimis is a free monthly speech digest from Hillsdale College, dedicated to educating citizens and promoting civil and religious liberty by addressing cultural, economic, political, and educational issues. Featuring speeches from Hillsdale College events, it has been a widely circulated opinion publication since 1972.

Introduction

In the July 2025 episode of Imprimis, Hillsdale College delves into the contentious perspectives of J.D. Vance regarding Europe's political and cultural trajectory. Adapted from a speech by Christopher Caldwell at a Hillsdale Leadership seminar, this episode critically examines Vance's assertions about Europe's retreat from democratic values and the implications for transatlantic relations.

J.D. Vance's Perspective on Europe

J.D. Vance, presented as a critical voice on European affairs, argues that Europe's most pressing threat is not external powers like Russia or China but an internal decline in military and democratic values.

J.D. Vance (00:33): "...the threat that I worry the most about vis a vis Europe is not Russia, it's not China. It's the retreat of Europe from some of its military most fundamental values."

Vance contends that Europe has become increasingly hostile to free speech and democracy, evidenced by persistent voter demand for reduced immigration, which paradoxically has been met with increased immigration policies. He draws parallels between Europe's political climate and that of the United States, highlighting a global struggle between populist movements and entrenched elites.

Populists vs. Elites: A Transatlantic Phenomenon

Vance identifies a clear division within Europe, mirroring the split in American politics between populists and elites. However, while populist movements in the U.S. have gained significant power, European populists have struggled to achieve similar dominance, with notable exceptions in Italy, Slovakia, and Hungary. Vance attributes this to Europe's robust mechanisms designed to thwart populist victories, contrasting with the U.S. political landscape where populists have recently secured power.

Emily (01:02): "Europe is split between two camps, so-called populists and elites... For the second time in three elections, populists have now taken power in the US... In Europe, they have a harder time ruling only in Italy, Slovakia, and Hungary."

The AfD and German Politics

A focal point of Vance's critique is Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Despite its significant electoral success—becoming the second-largest party with 26% approval according to an April poll—the AfD has been systematically excluded from major forums like the Munich Security Conference. Vance's meeting with AfD leader Alice Weidel sparked controversy, as critics argue that ostracizing the party is necessary to prevent a resurgence of extremist ideologies reminiscent of Nazism.

J.D. Vance (02:32): "The AfD has now left them in the dust. And yet the AfD was kept out of the Munich Security Conference."

Vance suggests that the suppression of the AfD is less about preventing extremism and more about maintaining elite control, drawing parallels to how populist Republicans are criticized in the U.S. under the guise of combating issues like DEI, ESG, and "wokeness."

EU's Influence and National Sovereignty

Vance passionately critiques the European Union (EU), portraying it as a technocratic body that undermines national sovereignty. He argues that the EU has systematically weakened member states' military capabilities while promoting transnational economic dependencies and social policies that erode traditional national identities.

J.D. Vance (08:11): "The EU is a system run by and for technocratic elites... It shifts power from legislatures to courtrooms and regulatory bodies."

According to Vance, the EU's consolidation of power has rendered European militaries less effective and increased reliance on American defense commitments, particularly through NATO. This dependency, he argues, diminishes Europe's ability to act independently on the global stage.

Partisan Dimensions of US-EU Relations

Vance highlights the growing partisan divide between the United States and the European Union. He posits that since the Maastricht Treaty and the rise of the Democratic Party in the U.S., the EU has aligned closely with American Democrats, leading to harmonious relations when Democrats are in power. Conversely, when anti-EU or populist parties gain traction within EU member states, the relationship becomes strained.

Emily (09:09): "Since 1992, the year the Maastricht Treaty was signed and Bill Clinton elected, the EU has been in harmony with the Democratic Party in the US."

This alignment means that the EU often collaborates with progressive American policies, while populist leaders like Trump and Vance view the EU's actions as undermining U.S. sovereignty and interests.

Case Studies: Poland, Hungary, and Romania

Vance examines specific instances where the EU's interventions have altered national political landscapes:

• Poland and Hungary: Initially, populist parties like Poland's Law and Justice (PiS) gained power by advocating strict immigration policies and justice reforms. However, the EU's withholding of substantial funds in response to these policies effectively coerced these countries into compliance, as seen in Poland's 2023 elections where pro-EU parties swiftly regained control after fund releases.

• Romania: The sudden annulment of Colleen Georgescu's election victory, attributed to alleged Russian disinformation without substantial evidence, illustrates the EU's readiness to intervene in national elections. Vance interprets these actions as attempts to suppress leaders sympathetic to nationalist and sovereigntist ideologies, aligning them against U.S. interests.

J.D. Vance (05:10): "Just as troubling is what happened last November in Romania... authorities arrested him and banned him from the May vote."

The Concept of Wokeness as a Power Network

Vance connects the EU's regulatory overreach to the broader theme of "wokeness" as a pervasive power network. He argues that wokeness transcends mere cultural shifts, representing a network of governmental and corporate entities exerting control over societal norms and political outcomes.

Emily (16:XX): "Wokeness doesn't rest on convictions. It rests on the power of governments and employers to punish and threaten."

This perspective suggests that both the U.S. and EU elites utilize wokeness to entrench their power, manipulating political and social landscapes to maintain their influence.

Public Perception and Future Implications

A poll cited by Vance reveals significant distrust between Europeans and the American administration influenced by Trump and Vance's nationalist rhetoric:

Emily (Single timestamp): "In March, a poll of EU citizens found that 51% consider Trump an enemy of Europe versus just 9% who consider him a friend."

This growing animosity underscores the fraying transatlantic alliance, with Vance and Trump advocating for a reinvigorated European sovereignty that may operate independently—or even antagonistically—toward U.S. interests.

Conclusion

J.D. Vance's critique of Europe, as explored in this Imprimis episode, presents a stark warning about the erosion of national sovereignty and democratic values within the EU. By drawing parallels between European and American political dynamics, Vance emphasizes the risks of transnational overreach and the diminishing role of national identities in global politics. This analysis invites listeners to consider the balance between collective security and individual sovereignty, and the future of US-Europe relations in an increasingly fragmented political landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• J.D. Vance (00:33): "...the threat that I worry the most about vis a vis Europe is not Russia, it's not China. It's the retreat of Europe from some of its military most fundamental values."

• Emily (01:02): "Europe is split between two camps, so-called populists and elites... For the second time in three elections, populists have now taken power in the US... In Europe, they have a harder time ruling only in Italy, Slovakia, and Hungary."

• J.D. Vance (02:32): "The AfD has now left them in the dust. And yet the AfD was kept out of the Munich Security Conference."

• J.D. Vance (08:11): "The EU is a system run by and for technocratic elites... It shifts power from legislatures to courtrooms and regulatory bodies."

• Emily (09:09): "Since 1992, the year the Maastricht Treaty was signed and Bill Clinton elected, the EU has been in harmony with the Democratic Party in the US."

• Emily (16:XX): "Wokeness doesn't rest on convictions. It rests on the power of governments and employers to punish and threaten."

Final Note: For those interested in deepening their understanding of these complex geopolitical dynamics, subscribing to Imprimis offers a wealth of insights drawn from esteemed thinkers and leaders.