As Thomas Kuhn pointed out in his book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, the greatest resistance to change comes moments before the collapse of the reigning paradigm, when its defenders “devise numerous articulations and ad hoc modifications of their theory in order to eliminate any apparent conflict.” Kuhn’s interpretive model has helped me make sense of some of the things that no longer make sense. Former CIA analyst Martin Gurri, author of the prophetic 2014 book Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millenium, best described the “crisis of authority” the neoliberals now face: “They could identify the causes of the public’s anger and work to reconcile the public to the system. This would entail flattening the political pyramid and reducing as much as possible their distance from the public.” This, according to Gurri, is not happening, “Elites currently seem to be more concerned with re-establishing their distance from the public than with restoring their own authority. They equate legitimacy with clinging to the top of the pyramid. They find proximity to the public frightening and distasteful: No elite figure wants to come near ‘the deplorables.’ They prefer to hide behind bodyguards and metal-detecting machines.”
A Democratic Socialist, Melat Kiros, is on her way to beating a 30 year democratic incumbent, Diana DeGette, to represent Denver County in the House. Also, Julie Gonzales, progressive Democratic candidate endorsed by Indivisible, has a great chance to beat John Hickenlooper for Colorado representation in the Senate. Democrats are tired of go along to get along.
Despite the morbid obesity of America’s political body - “obese” in the sense of too much donor money, too many powerful special interests seeking continued government entitlements and favors - I think you’ve found the faint pulse of democracy. Please keep listening and diagnosing and your stethoscope warm…
The first image to come to mind was the French Revolution, banner-fueled with"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"... in response to 'Let them eat Cake'.... trump's 'Let the children have one Barbie' isn't even food. It's getting closer and I appreciated your character analyses of Platner, Mamdami, and Khanna. Thanks!
All true, but The People can't "take" their rightful share of the pie, they still are dependent upon their masters to "give" them a fair shake. And until Congress frees itself from highly-paid lobbyists cutting their preferred candidates in on a piece of the plutocratic action, nothing will change — wealth will continue to concentrate amongst the top-ten percentile, the unquenched anger will build, and far-right "populists" will keep on keeping on, diverting attention away from the "malefactors of great wealth" to the "Other".
When I think of our economic/political structure as a pyramid, it seems so obvious that the top will fall if the base is continually eroded. I don’t understand why, but it seems that those at the top eventually lose their ability to keep their principles in order. Maybe it’s a form of altitude sickness that makes people on the top incapable of keeping their perspective functional.
I think you give "the elite" too much credit. They are self-absorbed, and their egos readily manufacture excuses for whatever immaturity surfaces from time to time. I really think that we aspiring grown-ups need to stay true to our course, reach out to each other, and assume the reins of responsibility. By arguing against their machinations, bursting those ego-bubbles, are we not reinforcing their impressions on others. Start and end with positive truth, our goals of betterment, then wade in to unravel the thicket of distractions.
As Thomas Kuhn pointed out in his book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, the greatest resistance to change comes moments before the collapse of the reigning paradigm, when its defenders “devise numerous articulations and ad hoc modifications of their theory in order to eliminate any apparent conflict.” Kuhn’s interpretive model has helped me make sense of some of the things that no longer make sense. Former CIA analyst Martin Gurri, author of the prophetic 2014 book Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millenium, best described the “crisis of authority” the neoliberals now face: “They could identify the causes of the public’s anger and work to reconcile the public to the system. This would entail flattening the political pyramid and reducing as much as possible their distance from the public.” This, according to Gurri, is not happening, “Elites currently seem to be more concerned with re-establishing their distance from the public than with restoring their own authority. They equate legitimacy with clinging to the top of the pyramid. They find proximity to the public frightening and distasteful: No elite figure wants to come near ‘the deplorables.’ They prefer to hide behind bodyguards and metal-detecting machines.”
A Democratic Socialist, Melat Kiros, is on her way to beating a 30 year democratic incumbent, Diana DeGette, to represent Denver County in the House. Also, Julie Gonzales, progressive Democratic candidate endorsed by Indivisible, has a great chance to beat John Hickenlooper for Colorado representation in the Senate. Democrats are tired of go along to get along.
Despite the morbid obesity of America’s political body - “obese” in the sense of too much donor money, too many powerful special interests seeking continued government entitlements and favors - I think you’ve found the faint pulse of democracy. Please keep listening and diagnosing and your stethoscope warm…
Unequivocally, adamantly YES
The Sovereign Class never cared about democracy. Slaves, serfs, little people are just human capital ...lazy, loud and troublesome.
The first image to come to mind was the French Revolution, banner-fueled with"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"... in response to 'Let them eat Cake'.... trump's 'Let the children have one Barbie' isn't even food. It's getting closer and I appreciated your character analyses of Platner, Mamdami, and Khanna. Thanks!
Excellent!! Anyone Bernie endorses im down with. He's been screaming for years. We are all ready to hear him. Great insightful article
All true, but The People can't "take" their rightful share of the pie, they still are dependent upon their masters to "give" them a fair shake. And until Congress frees itself from highly-paid lobbyists cutting their preferred candidates in on a piece of the plutocratic action, nothing will change — wealth will continue to concentrate amongst the top-ten percentile, the unquenched anger will build, and far-right "populists" will keep on keeping on, diverting attention away from the "malefactors of great wealth" to the "Other".
*Plus ça change..." and all that.
When I think of our economic/political structure as a pyramid, it seems so obvious that the top will fall if the base is continually eroded. I don’t understand why, but it seems that those at the top eventually lose their ability to keep their principles in order. Maybe it’s a form of altitude sickness that makes people on the top incapable of keeping their perspective functional.
I think you give "the elite" too much credit. They are self-absorbed, and their egos readily manufacture excuses for whatever immaturity surfaces from time to time. I really think that we aspiring grown-ups need to stay true to our course, reach out to each other, and assume the reins of responsibility. By arguing against their machinations, bursting those ego-bubbles, are we not reinforcing their impressions on others. Start and end with positive truth, our goals of betterment, then wade in to unravel the thicket of distractions.
Yes. Yes. Yes.