As Aldous Huxley observed in Brave New World Revisited: “Non-stop distractions of the most fascinating nature are deliberately used as instruments of policy, for the purpose of preventing people from paying too much attention to the realities of the social and political situation… Only the vigilant can maintain their liberties, and only those who are constantly and intellectually ‘on-point’ can hope to govern themselves effectively by democratic procedures.” AND:
As Murray N. Rothbard wrote in Anatomy of the State: “The greatest danger to the State is independent intellectual criticism; there is no better way to stifle that criticism than to attack any isolated voice, any raiser of new doubts, as a profane violator of the wisdom of his ancestors. Another potent ideological force is to deprecate the individual and exalt the collectivity of society. For since any given rule implies majority acceptance, any ideological danger to that rule can only start from one or a few independently thinking individuals. The new idea, much less the new critical idea, must begin as a small minority opinion; therefore, the State must nip the view in the bud by ridiculing any view that defies the opinions of the mass. “Listen only to your brothers” or “adjust to society” thus become ideological weapons for crushing individual dissent. By such measures, the masses will never learn of the nonexistence of the Emperor’s clothes.” AND:
“When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing—when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors—when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don’t protect you against them, but protect them against you—when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice—you may know that your society is doomed.”
The radicals of the 1960’s have become the teachers and policy makers of today. They’ve lived the indoctrination and they won’t have to live under the stupidity they’ll impose on others.
If we are extremely lucky, the states will act for their citizens and nullify anything stupid coming from DC. If we aren’t, then we’ll all starve together, just like they did in Russia and China and every other communist state.
Brilliant summary of our current economic woes & our choices. We stand at the crossroads between Milei & Maduro.
Unfortunately, an axiom to Jefferson's observation, —“if a nation expects to be ignorant & free, in a state of civilisation, it expects what never was & never will be,”— is that an innumerate & illiterate mob only upsets the established order when its belly growls.
But, even with empty store shelves, Soviets patiently stood, and Cubans & Venezuelans now stand in line to defend their revolutionary fervor.
That's a very interesting and thought-provoking way to phrase it, Captain: "between Milei & Maduro."
Do You have any thoughts on how to go about bringing a Milei-style revolution here to the United States? Because that is what it would take: a Revolution. The FIRST American Revolution, in fact [What happened in 1776 was a Secession, not a Revolution.]
Or is it already too late for that because the Decline of America and its Empire has ended, and the Fall has begun?
Very observant & carefully worded: «secession!» A truth quickly confirmed by the ensuing Whiskey Rebellion right after «independence.» In any event, after the 1913 Banker's Coup d'Etat (IRS, FED, income tax, ...) the US has been an oligarchy.
Be that as it may, IMHO the most revolutionary acts in today's world are:
Thankee, Captain Malagon. Lots to ponder, reflect, and chew on there. Will get back with You in a bit. ~ jeff {Moebus] . Master Sergeant, US Army [Retired]
A few observation, that I will try and limit to less than a post of my own.
1. The pictures of "just hungry enough citizens" in lines and ration distribution depots look like a failing system to you and I, but are the acme of a well run and managed system to the regime (insert whatever political/ideological tag you wish). The refined levels of obedience and control ride on a delicate algorithm, known only to the "experts".
2. The lie of the "experts" was that the masses were too stupid, to understand the things they always had. 1+1=2, fire is hot, eating what grows in the earth naturally sustains life, killing your progeny for convenience is a societal death sentence and more.
Where economics is concerned, the only reason economists are needed is to navigate the corruption, that was intentionally inserted into simple monetary mathematics, that anyone could do. When grifters (bankers/lawyers/politicians) figured out they could create money from nothing (fractional lending), they needed a language and methodology, only they could and would be allowed to understand. The only reason the economics of a given system is confusing, is because it was intentionally changed to be so.
Everyone who works for a living and pays bills knows, understands and lives by the premise - you can't spend more than you have, without going into debt - and debt is bad - avoid debt. This maxim does not change whether you run a lemonade stand, household, business or country.
But the "experts", in their corruption of the system (which justifies their existence), have sold the masses the lie of systemic complexity and their own ignorance.
Thank You, Professor, for an excellent thought-provoker, as always. Related are...:
Racket News’ Matt Taibbi offers this perspective on the Democrats' Convention Opening Nite: THE DNC'S SINISTER REBRAND OF "FREEDOM": "Freedom From" Was Right Up There With "Joy" And "Unity" As Key Themes of Last Night's Blue Party Grammy Awards. Unfortunately, It Wasn't Funny at https://www.racket.news/p/the-dncs-sinister-rebrand-of-freedom .
I think there is confusion between price fixing and gouging. Your article addresses the effects of former on economy not the later. Harris proposed anti gouging legislation just for clarity.
Trump established national anti gouging ban during COVID, so we tried it without slippery slope to communism. Further, 37 states including Fl and TX have such statues on their books.
The effect of anti gauging law on the economy is less understood or studied. Certainly experience of USSR is wrong analogy. Further, profit margins of sub 2% certainly would not qualify as price gouging and such ban, even if declared, would be moot.
I apologize for being pedantic about this but it seems your publication supports such nuanced view even if it contradicts that expressed by you.
I do support nuanced views. Thanks for adding yours.
I do believe we sliding down the slope and that the slide started before Harris's gouging proposal. We will learn more when we consider Hayek's The Road to Serfdom.
That said, while I think my comparison is apt, as you say we are still a long way from the USSR. That's why we consider these ideas, to prevent the worst.
As Aldous Huxley observed in Brave New World Revisited: “Non-stop distractions of the most fascinating nature are deliberately used as instruments of policy, for the purpose of preventing people from paying too much attention to the realities of the social and political situation… Only the vigilant can maintain their liberties, and only those who are constantly and intellectually ‘on-point’ can hope to govern themselves effectively by democratic procedures.” AND:
As Murray N. Rothbard wrote in Anatomy of the State: “The greatest danger to the State is independent intellectual criticism; there is no better way to stifle that criticism than to attack any isolated voice, any raiser of new doubts, as a profane violator of the wisdom of his ancestors. Another potent ideological force is to deprecate the individual and exalt the collectivity of society. For since any given rule implies majority acceptance, any ideological danger to that rule can only start from one or a few independently thinking individuals. The new idea, much less the new critical idea, must begin as a small minority opinion; therefore, the State must nip the view in the bud by ridiculing any view that defies the opinions of the mass. “Listen only to your brothers” or “adjust to society” thus become ideological weapons for crushing individual dissent. By such measures, the masses will never learn of the nonexistence of the Emperor’s clothes.” AND:
“When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing—when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors—when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don’t protect you against them, but protect them against you—when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice—you may know that your society is doomed.”
Ayn Rand; Atlas Shrugged, 1957
Carl, Thank you for those fantastic additions that enrich us.
Rothbard's, "Anatomy of a State" is an important extended essay that many have never heard of. It can be downloaded here: https://mises.org/library/book/anatomy-state
Professor Brownstein, this is excellent content. FYI: I will be forwarding this Substack to others forthwith. Warmest regards Professor Brownstein.
Thank you, Carl. I appreciate your support.
IIRC, Comrade Lenin called these people “useful idiots.”
The radicals of the 1960’s have become the teachers and policy makers of today. They’ve lived the indoctrination and they won’t have to live under the stupidity they’ll impose on others.
If we are extremely lucky, the states will act for their citizens and nullify anything stupid coming from DC. If we aren’t, then we’ll all starve together, just like they did in Russia and China and every other communist state.
Brilliant summary of our current economic woes & our choices. We stand at the crossroads between Milei & Maduro.
Unfortunately, an axiom to Jefferson's observation, —“if a nation expects to be ignorant & free, in a state of civilisation, it expects what never was & never will be,”— is that an innumerate & illiterate mob only upsets the established order when its belly growls.
But, even with empty store shelves, Soviets patiently stood, and Cubans & Venezuelans now stand in line to defend their revolutionary fervor.
Captain Malagon, you raise a crucial point about the mob going along. Thank you.
That's a very interesting and thought-provoking way to phrase it, Captain: "between Milei & Maduro."
Do You have any thoughts on how to go about bringing a Milei-style revolution here to the United States? Because that is what it would take: a Revolution. The FIRST American Revolution, in fact [What happened in 1776 was a Secession, not a Revolution.]
Or is it already too late for that because the Decline of America and its Empire has ended, and the Fall has begun?
Very observant & carefully worded: «secession!» A truth quickly confirmed by the ensuing Whiskey Rebellion right after «independence.» In any event, after the 1913 Banker's Coup d'Etat (IRS, FED, income tax, ...) the US has been an oligarchy.
Be that as it may, IMHO the most revolutionary acts in today's world are:
1. Bodily autonomy.
2. Personal defense.
3. Individual health.
Thankee, Captain Malagon. Lots to ponder, reflect, and chew on there. Will get back with You in a bit. ~ jeff {Moebus] . Master Sergeant, US Army [Retired]
An excellent post.
A few observation, that I will try and limit to less than a post of my own.
1. The pictures of "just hungry enough citizens" in lines and ration distribution depots look like a failing system to you and I, but are the acme of a well run and managed system to the regime (insert whatever political/ideological tag you wish). The refined levels of obedience and control ride on a delicate algorithm, known only to the "experts".
2. The lie of the "experts" was that the masses were too stupid, to understand the things they always had. 1+1=2, fire is hot, eating what grows in the earth naturally sustains life, killing your progeny for convenience is a societal death sentence and more.
Where economics is concerned, the only reason economists are needed is to navigate the corruption, that was intentionally inserted into simple monetary mathematics, that anyone could do. When grifters (bankers/lawyers/politicians) figured out they could create money from nothing (fractional lending), they needed a language and methodology, only they could and would be allowed to understand. The only reason the economics of a given system is confusing, is because it was intentionally changed to be so.
Everyone who works for a living and pays bills knows, understands and lives by the premise - you can't spend more than you have, without going into debt - and debt is bad - avoid debt. This maxim does not change whether you run a lemonade stand, household, business or country.
But the "experts", in their corruption of the system (which justifies their existence), have sold the masses the lie of systemic complexity and their own ignorance.
Thank you for the kind words and observations!
Thank You, Professor, for an excellent thought-provoker, as always. Related are...:
Racket News’ Matt Taibbi offers this perspective on the Democrats' Convention Opening Nite: THE DNC'S SINISTER REBRAND OF "FREEDOM": "Freedom From" Was Right Up There With "Joy" And "Unity" As Key Themes of Last Night's Blue Party Grammy Awards. Unfortunately, It Wasn't Funny at https://www.racket.news/p/the-dncs-sinister-rebrand-of-freedom .
And the Editorial Board of the Wall Street Journal offers a very similar perspective in its 19 August piece THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S PROJECT 2025: Its Platform Offers A Vision Where The Answer Is Always Government at https://www.wsj.com/opinion/dnc-platform-2024-kamala-harris-government-democrats-joe-biden-2e16e695 .
jg, Thank for the kind words and helpful articles.
As it happens, I have an essay on what freedom means in my writing queue.
Looking forward to it.
People would vote for empty supermarkets for the same reason they would join a lynching party. It's more comfortable for them to go with the mob.
I think there is confusion between price fixing and gouging. Your article addresses the effects of former on economy not the later. Harris proposed anti gouging legislation just for clarity.
Trump established national anti gouging ban during COVID, so we tried it without slippery slope to communism. Further, 37 states including Fl and TX have such statues on their books.
The effect of anti gauging law on the economy is less understood or studied. Certainly experience of USSR is wrong analogy. Further, profit margins of sub 2% certainly would not qualify as price gouging and such ban, even if declared, would be moot.
I apologize for being pedantic about this but it seems your publication supports such nuanced view even if it contradicts that expressed by you.
I do support nuanced views. Thanks for adding yours.
I do believe we sliding down the slope and that the slide started before Harris's gouging proposal. We will learn more when we consider Hayek's The Road to Serfdom.
That said, while I think my comparison is apt, as you say we are still a long way from the USSR. That's why we consider these ideas, to prevent the worst.