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PaperclipPerfector  10mo ago (text post)   25097 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of December 25, 2023

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Of course, that same distance also applies to the radical right, but I think there’s almost an inherent understanding that the reactionary message is more compelling to much of the population (especially in a diversifying society) than the socialist message - and that’s true on both sides.

Obviously history tells us a lot about the kinds of dictatorships that pop up in wealthy countries, but can you expound on this point? Are you saying that the left gets away with ‘no enemies to the left’ because the elites know there isn’t about to be a commie regime and so aren’t scared off by Unironic Marxists?

Yes, I think that’s true. I also think the experience electing conservative populists in the developed world suggests the people are drawn more to that messaging than leftist populism - Trump became President, Bernie couldn’t even beat Hillary in the primary. Corbyn bombed with the public, who mostly hated him by the time he was on his second election. Melenchon didn’t go anywhere in France. Leftist populists do better in poor countries, principally in Latin America.

Or rather, the steps for a reactionary populist coming to power in the US - if you’re a progressive elite - look something like Tucker Carlson winning a presidential (or maybe just being the trusted advisor to someone more competent than Trump who does), the GOP controlling both chambers (happened in Trump’s first term) and a conservative majority on SCOTUS (currently extant). Sure maybe the deep state still stops him, and obviously we know Carlson’s not a fascist really, but from their perspective that’s a risk.

The steps for an actual honest to god socialist coming to power in the US involve what, the total implosion of both existing parties and a nationwide movement of such strength that it could rewrite the constitution, pack the court and reshape American political economy? It seems unlikely, to say the least.

Or rather, the steps for a reactionary populist coming to power in the US - if you’re a progressive elite - look something like Tucker Carlson winning a presidential (or maybe just being the trusted advisor to someone more competent than Trump who does), the GOP controlling both chambers (happened in Trump’s first term) and a conservative majority on SCOTUS (currently extant). Sure maybe the deep state still stops him, and obviously we know Carlson’s not a fascist really, but from their perspective that’s a risk.

Or maybe just Trump being more interested in tweeting than governing while his more-capable advisors run the country. I think we're the right majordomo away from that scenario becoming reality in early 2025.

Trump doesn’t have the humility. Can’t see it happening unless it’s the VP and Trump dies or resigns.

I don't think his ego is tied to actually exercising power, he'd be more than content to let Desantis or whoever actually run the country as long as he got credit.

Bernie couldn’t even beat Hillary in the primary

We'll never know if he could've beaten her, as the Hillary-funded DNC fixed that race.

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