Why do the elites tend toward fascism? Notice I did not say socialism or Communism. My understanding here is based on reading Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg. It has been awhile so my opinion may have morphed away from what he actually said. I must be the one who is right.
My take is that in Communism the government is in total control of everything, large and small. Socialism has the government in total control of the major engines in the economy but might leave the little guys alone, at least until they get big. Fascism talks about private enterprise but they always want it to be under the control of the government. None of them believe in genuine free enterprise. They are afraid of it. Free enterprise is a disease that must be stomped out.
Why? Because true free enterprise is a foundation of liberty and elitists hate liberty.
Free enterprise can reward effort and risk with wealth. I say “can” because the risk is real. In genuine free enterprise you are as free to fail as you are to succeed. There are no bailouts or safety nets. This leads to power and possible influence. You don’t owe any government official and don’t need to tailor your opinions to keep the local Federal Alphabet Agency off your back. Elitists hate this because they genuinely believe they know what is best for us and we don’t. They believe we will hurt ourselves if they are not in control. And they are right, but pain is part of liberty.
Free enterprise can thus lead to upward mobility without the aid of the tyrants syncopates. They are superfluous. Even worse they may be pushed aside and lose their cushy jobs.
Free enterprise forces the risk adverse and untalented to work instead of coming to the nanny state with hat in hand. It means that if there is something they want but can’t afford, they need to do something themselves. The traditional ways of improving yourself involve training or education, practice, a change of careers, a second job or, horror of horrors, starting your own business. The modern, elitest way is to tax those who are successful, drag them down and pass the money on through a government program to those who refuse to take the steps necessary to improve their lot.
All of these things limit the power and potential of the elitists. Even worse, if it were applied correctly it might mean that some of them would need to get real jobs and produce wealth or do without their fancy offices and nice suits.
Works for me.
homo unius libri
I'm sorry, Pumice, but in this day and age, such thinking is completely unacceptable. You're going to have to be sent to the nearest re-education camp to enlighten you!
ReplyDeleteDo you want the upper or lower bunk?
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace.