As this country, Europe, and Elsewhere are shifting to the right, we hear much discussion. A great deal of information. But little understanding.
Before we start, let's understand Newton's First Law of Physics: The pendulum swings both ways.
Now, let's start here:
Lenin became leader of Russia by appealing to the downtrodden people of Russia.
Hitler, the downtrodden people of Germany.
Robespierre, the downtrodden people of France.
How did it work out for the people of Russia, Germany, and France? Not good!.
But one element is common to all three. It is very unlikely that Lenin, HItler, and Robespierre, gained power by citing facts and figures. By providing statistics and analysis.
There is little evidence that the proletariat or the serfs were able read and write. Or do the math.
Each man appealed to emotion.
"Workers of the world unite. You have nothing to lose but your chains."
Hitler employed the time-tested strategy of scapegoating other people.
Robespierre employed class warfare.
No one knows when the Russian people figured out: when everyone owns everything no one owns anything.
The Germans found themselves knee deep in war when it was too late to do anything about it.
The French figured it out when they were being led to the Guillotine. And Robespierre? "Hoisted with his own petard".
And those who distinguish between Lenin and HItler are merely quibbling. I believe the word is specious.
When Merkel retired, obedience to the Troika began to dissolve. This, mind you, that there was connection among the ranks.
But why? Because people believe what they want to believe.
Chamberlain told the Brits, Mr. Hitler has assured me he is not planning to go to war.
Churchill said, The Nazis are planning to go to war.
Chamberlain told the Brits what they wanted to hear. Churchill told the Brits what they needed to hear. And the rest, as they say, is history.
"You can't stop the arrival of history. You can only delay it. History is coming. However, the longer you can delay the arrival of history, the better your chances of survival." Slim Fairview
However, the future?
"That you cannot predict the future is not the proper rebuff to the person who says, get off the tracks there's a train coming." ~Slim Fairview
Still, societies have an innate mechanism that causes them to move in response or reaction to coming changes before the people know they are coming.
In Italy? People have forgotten the demise of Benito Mussolini. The how. The why.
I've pointed out that Merkel had a 1-pronged approach to solving the European Economic Crisis. Austerity. And that a 1-pronged approach is not a solution. It is a weapon.
Soon, the 1-pronged approach became a 2-pronged approach. Austerity + Open Immigration. This served to further crush the economies of Southern Europe while doing nothing for the migrants save to leave them in camps with nowhere to go, nothing to do, and not even a place to sit down let alone lie down to sleep.
I stated, Merkel is not a Nazi. Merkel grew up in East Germany. Merkel speaks Russian, Merkel ran the German economy by feeding the German Economic Machine at the expense of satellite nations in Southern Europe. How did it work out for them? Not good.
Now Merkel is gone. Now, the pendulum is swinging back.
And we continue to forget, each succeeding generation does not always embrace the values, the paradigms, the algorithms of previous generations.
Santayana said, Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.
I've said, Those who never learned history are doomed--period!
However, there is more: "Those who remember history are able to repeat it."
In addition to Europe, let's shed a bit of light on China. China will succeed because China will do as we did and not as we say.
Manifest destiny -> Belt and Road
Trans-Continental Railroad -> HIgh speed railroad
Monroe Doctrine -> South China Sea
Hoover Dam -> Three Rivers Dam
What the Soviet Union lacked that China implemented successfully was The Free Market Paradigm.
When China elevated 500 million people from poverty to the middle class, China:
Created a consumer class
Created an investor class
Created a vested interest in the success of Beijing's policies
Created cohesion among the Chinese people.
Russian did not count on a solidarity of its former satellite states. And China's reticence on the invasion of Ukraine is one indicator of China's perceptions of future events.
The pendulum swings both ways; but,
"There are no unintended consequences. Only unwanted consequences."
~ Slim Fairview
Europe will shift to the right.
America will shift to the right.
Facts and figures will not supercede the appeal to emotion.
Best wishes,
Slim.
Box 33
Pen Argyl, PA 18072
Etats-Unis
The Quotations of Slim Fairview
Copyright © 2022 Robert Asken
All rights reserved
Long ago, I wrote, "China will succeed because China will do as we did. Not as we way." ~ Slim Fairview