Andrew Breitbart, a towering figure among conservative thinkers, left behind a legacy of memorable and empowering quotes. Among his most iconic was: **"Walk toward the fire. Don't worry about what they call you. All those things are said against you because they want to stop you in your tracks."** These words, spoken during the tumultuous Obama years, resonate even more profoundly today amidst the fervor of "hyper-woke" ideology. However, Breitbart's most enduring contribution to political discourse is encapsulated in his famous adage: **"Politics is downstream of culture."** This insight, later dubbed the "Breitbart Doctrine," encapsulated his belief that cultural dominance ultimately shapes political outcomes.
Breitbart, a Los Angeles native and fierce critic of Hollywood's influence, understood the immense sway held by left-leaning institutions—Hollywood, Silicon Valley, academia, and other pillars of societal influence. His thesis was clear: gain control of cultural institutions, and political victories will follow. The culture, in shaping public opinion, dictates electoral results. Yet, while Breitbart’s doctrine accurately highlighted this dynamic, it left an important truth unexplored: **culture is also downstream of politics.**
Historically, rulers have wielded political and judicial power to mold culture and influence societal norms. Ralph Lerner, a respected political philosopher, referred to the U.S. Supreme Court as a "republican schoolmaster," shaping the morals and beliefs sustaining democracy. Similarly, George Will's *Statecraft as Soulcraft* explored the transformative power of political leadership in guiding public sentiment and values. Politics, after all, wields both hard and soft power to stir the collective conscience.
Nancy Reagan’s "Just Say No" campaign illustrates this interplay. Through a blend of political messaging and government-backed initiatives, the campaign successfully reduced drug use in America. By 1993, drug use had declined by 60% compared to 1979, demonstrating how politics can reshape culture.
This reciprocal relationship—where politics and culture influence each other—was recently underscored by Mark Zuckerberg’s surprising pivot. After years of championing left-leaning causes and overseeing censorship at Facebook, Zuckerberg has shifted course. His recent announcement to terminate "fact-checking" programs and implement community-driven tools like those on Elon Musk's X reflects a new political calculus. Motivated by Donald Trump’s growing influence and the nationalist-populist wave, Zuckerberg appears eager to align with the shifting political winds.
Zuckerberg’s actions reaffirm the interconnected nature of politics and culture. Even before formally returning to power, Trump’s influence is reshaping corporate policies and cultural discourse, showcasing the profound impact of political power on societal norms.
Josh Hammer, Newsweek's senior editor-at-large, is also the host of *The Josh Hammer Show* and *America on Trial with Josh Hammer,* a syndicated columnist, and senior counsel for the Article III Project. His upcoming book, *Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West* (Diversion Books), will be released in March 2025. Subscribe to *The Josh Hammer Report* newsletter or follow him on X: @josh_hammer.
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