Once again, an absolutely spot on analysis of the evolution of what is now the Republican Party. Over the past 70+ years the Party has gradually transformed itself from a fiscally conservative group believing in limited government into the fire and brimstone juggernaut we face today. Over this period, those who previously believed in limitations to fiscal and regulatory policy have gradually been forced out, to be replaced by the present crop of truly radical flamethrowers, willing (nay, even anxious) to see 250+ years of democratic government go up in flames, to be replaced by … what?
Even the most radical of the current crop of true believers does not (really) believe Trump will live forever. And therein may lie the Achilles Heel of their current march to power. I see many, many Little Trumps, all aspiring to fill his shoes. But none with the emotional energy, casual cruelty and ability to apply pejoritive terms that just seem to stick (forever) - “Crooked Hillary”, “Little Marco”, “Ron Desanctimonious”, “Lyin’ Ted, “Sleepy Joe”. The list goes on and on. The crowd roars when Trump makes fun of a disabled journalist, of a prize-winning scientist, of a distinguished professor of (whatever). Even Elon Musk, who DID develop a unique, environmentally friendly mode of personal transportation, rose too close to the sun and was destroyed. Exactly who’s going to energize the crowd in the same way. Moreover, these “Little Trumps” are all equally power hungry, cruel and unscrupulous. For each, their first target will be to destroy their rivals. Therein, I pray, may lie our salvation.
On a completely different note, it would be more than “nice” to know at least some of the background of the author(s) of these pieces, by professional history if not by name. Human?, LLM?, AI? Earth? Neptune? Proxima Centauri? Heaven? Hell? Have asked before, only to be met with …..
I appreciate the psychological research that helps explain what seems completely irrational. I too would like to know the authors and more about the people involved with The Rational League.
Spot-on play on Ms. Arendt’s theme “The Banality of Evil” in which she postulates that ordinary people, not inherently evil people, can, and will commit evil deeds by following orders blindly as simple parts in a machinery, or out of desire to be part of a crowd. This exemplifies MAGA in nearly every aspect.
This is an excellent analysis and spot on in every way.
One point though I want to suggest is that we draw a line between MAGA Republicans and non-MAGA ones. This is not because I think the latter don't support this, they chose it after all and their claims of ignorance or opposition ring hollow, but because they refuse to admit that.
As we push back against this we face two groups of people. The openly-MAGA celebrate this and who are at least honest enough to tell us who they are. The non-MAGA, the members of our families or our coworkers who voted for "family values" but now want us to know they are totally not fine with marines in the streets on the other hand, are either dumb enough to believe their line, or snide enough to think we do. The former group is unsavable but the latter will expend effort trying to sound reasonable. We need to make them own that in an actual way, or write them off.
Great essay. My MAGA mainstays are The Rational League, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and Hannah Arrendt's Origins of Totalitarianism. Those three sources tell you all you need to know about why we must fight. Happy No Kings day everyone.
Another very interesting piece. Thank you. I'm curious about your title. I know that it is an allusion to Hannah Arendt. Could you please add a few words here about how her philosophy relates to the points you draw from psychology? I'm quite interested in your thinking on this. Many thanks and keep up the good work.
Once again, an absolutely spot on analysis of the evolution of what is now the Republican Party. Over the past 70+ years the Party has gradually transformed itself from a fiscally conservative group believing in limited government into the fire and brimstone juggernaut we face today. Over this period, those who previously believed in limitations to fiscal and regulatory policy have gradually been forced out, to be replaced by the present crop of truly radical flamethrowers, willing (nay, even anxious) to see 250+ years of democratic government go up in flames, to be replaced by … what?
Even the most radical of the current crop of true believers does not (really) believe Trump will live forever. And therein may lie the Achilles Heel of their current march to power. I see many, many Little Trumps, all aspiring to fill his shoes. But none with the emotional energy, casual cruelty and ability to apply pejoritive terms that just seem to stick (forever) - “Crooked Hillary”, “Little Marco”, “Ron Desanctimonious”, “Lyin’ Ted, “Sleepy Joe”. The list goes on and on. The crowd roars when Trump makes fun of a disabled journalist, of a prize-winning scientist, of a distinguished professor of (whatever). Even Elon Musk, who DID develop a unique, environmentally friendly mode of personal transportation, rose too close to the sun and was destroyed. Exactly who’s going to energize the crowd in the same way. Moreover, these “Little Trumps” are all equally power hungry, cruel and unscrupulous. For each, their first target will be to destroy their rivals. Therein, I pray, may lie our salvation.
On a completely different note, it would be more than “nice” to know at least some of the background of the author(s) of these pieces, by professional history if not by name. Human?, LLM?, AI? Earth? Neptune? Proxima Centauri? Heaven? Hell? Have asked before, only to be met with …..
I appreciate the psychological research that helps explain what seems completely irrational. I too would like to know the authors and more about the people involved with The Rational League.
Spot-on play on Ms. Arendt’s theme “The Banality of Evil” in which she postulates that ordinary people, not inherently evil people, can, and will commit evil deeds by following orders blindly as simple parts in a machinery, or out of desire to be part of a crowd. This exemplifies MAGA in nearly every aspect.
This is an excellent analysis and spot on in every way.
One point though I want to suggest is that we draw a line between MAGA Republicans and non-MAGA ones. This is not because I think the latter don't support this, they chose it after all and their claims of ignorance or opposition ring hollow, but because they refuse to admit that.
As we push back against this we face two groups of people. The openly-MAGA celebrate this and who are at least honest enough to tell us who they are. The non-MAGA, the members of our families or our coworkers who voted for "family values" but now want us to know they are totally not fine with marines in the streets on the other hand, are either dumb enough to believe their line, or snide enough to think we do. The former group is unsavable but the latter will expend effort trying to sound reasonable. We need to make them own that in an actual way, or write them off.
https://publis324843.substack.com/p/this-is-what-you-chose?r=7av8t
Great essay. My MAGA mainstays are The Rational League, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, and Hannah Arrendt's Origins of Totalitarianism. Those three sources tell you all you need to know about why we must fight. Happy No Kings day everyone.
This UNHEALABLE DIVISION is what it must have been like on the eve of the Civil War
Another very interesting piece. Thank you. I'm curious about your title. I know that it is an allusion to Hannah Arendt. Could you please add a few words here about how her philosophy relates to the points you draw from psychology? I'm quite interested in your thinking on this. Many thanks and keep up the good work.
Insightful and unsettling, in equal measure, as always.