Yes, it's true: They Can Only Go So Far, as Francis Ford Fukuyama says (oops, there is no Ford in the name -- I mistook the Director of History with the Director). Various Writers, he opines, "...have suggested that we are now witnessing a return to the Cold War, the return of History or, at a minimum, a return to a 19th-century world of clashing great powers." Ever notice how famous he has become explaining himself? One bad idea ("The End of History") and his career was made. He's like the Middle East Expert to the world: always wrong and always in demand, but on a bigger stage. Now, I've been explaining my bad ideas for...well, we won't go there. In any case, Francis goes on to advise Various Writers (an ancient Roman Pundit, I think):
Well, may I be frank, Frank? I would not bet the farm on your ability to interpret the dreams of a megalomaniac and sociopath who excelled during his career in the "Organs of State Security." Still, it is good to know the Tyrant's grasp will seldom exceed his reach -- though those constant stretch exercises are worrisome.
But the real threat may not be foreign tyranny. It may be those "Private-Public Partnerships" that both bureaucrats and Capitalists (and major media) are fond of promoting. After all, Capitalist are not ever-faithful fans of Free Markets, by and large. They are for free markets when it advantages them. But once on top, the advantages of having the Government steer money and customers your way are greater than the advantages the Free Market offers. Besides, the power of Government may be used against you if you are not using it against someone else. So the real danger may be government created -- but privately run and government connected -- cartels. They will be disguised, of course. But they will first take away economic and social freedom -- and then political freedom, as well. This will all be done in the name of planning or promoting some social good (affordable housing, health care, wind to power and natural gas to cars etc., etc., etc and so on and so forth!).
"But while bullies can still throw their weight around, democracy and capitalism still have no real competitors." Not true. The competitor is State Capitalism or The Corporate State. Call it "fascism with a velvet glove" -- over the mailed fist. This is not the "fascism" shouted by the Left, but the Fascism practiced by the Left. And it could take a giant step forward if Sen. Obama wins -- and perhaps a tiny step back if McCain wins, though a slower advance is more likely.
Current History will end with a whimper. It will be "feudalism with the right sort of people in charge." Francis and Fareed will be Barons in the new Aristocracy of Credentials (excuse me, Merit). So the future holds no terrors for these two. Nor for me: I plan on getting a law degree at night school.
Not so fast. We are certainly moving into what Newsweek's Fareed Zakaria labels a "post-American" world. But while bullies can still throw their weight around, democracy and capitalism still have no real competitors. The facile historical analogies to earlier eras have two problems: They presuppose a cartoonish view of international politics during these previous periods, and they imply that "authoritarian government" constitutes a clearly defined type of regime -- one that's aggressive abroad, abusive at home and inevitably dangerous to world order. In fact, today's authoritarian governments have little in common, save their lack of democratic institutions. Few have the combination of brawn, cohesion and ideas required to truly dominate the global system, and none dream of overthrowing the globalized economy.
Well, may I be frank, Frank? I would not bet the farm on your ability to interpret the dreams of a megalomaniac and sociopath who excelled during his career in the "Organs of State Security." Still, it is good to know the Tyrant's grasp will seldom exceed his reach -- though those constant stretch exercises are worrisome.
But the real threat may not be foreign tyranny. It may be those "Private-Public Partnerships" that both bureaucrats and Capitalists (and major media) are fond of promoting. After all, Capitalist are not ever-faithful fans of Free Markets, by and large. They are for free markets when it advantages them. But once on top, the advantages of having the Government steer money and customers your way are greater than the advantages the Free Market offers. Besides, the power of Government may be used against you if you are not using it against someone else. So the real danger may be government created -- but privately run and government connected -- cartels. They will be disguised, of course. But they will first take away economic and social freedom -- and then political freedom, as well. This will all be done in the name of planning or promoting some social good (affordable housing, health care, wind to power and natural gas to cars etc., etc., etc and so on and so forth!).
"But while bullies can still throw their weight around, democracy and capitalism still have no real competitors." Not true. The competitor is State Capitalism or The Corporate State. Call it "fascism with a velvet glove" -- over the mailed fist. This is not the "fascism" shouted by the Left, but the Fascism practiced by the Left. And it could take a giant step forward if Sen. Obama wins -- and perhaps a tiny step back if McCain wins, though a slower advance is more likely.
Current History will end with a whimper. It will be "feudalism with the right sort of people in charge." Francis and Fareed will be Barons in the new Aristocracy of Credentials (excuse me, Merit). So the future holds no terrors for these two. Nor for me: I plan on getting a law degree at night school.
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