I don’t know. I think there is a deliberate character to an age. You’re right that it’s often something about the weak vs. the powerful, but other than that, I’m not sure how much of this you related to… — EdwardC
I have a problem with that basic premise .... after which, it gets a little confusing. How long is 'an age'? Two centuries? Five? Wasn't monarchy the standard form of government during the European 'age' of Enlightenment? Don't fascist and communist regimes exist concurrently?During any age, there is always an ethos, an ethic by which that age develops its political character and social personality. — EdwardC
Anything can be said to have roots, but locating the root and identifying the plant are particular tasks that 'an adequate' observer should be able to perform.I believe the prevailing value set that runs through a society and even a time in history certainly can be said to have philosophical, ethical, and even mytho-spiritual roots. This is what I’ve come to conclude based primarily on first hand observation and research into anthropology and the arts. — EdwardC
Para. 1: Cultures shaped by forces. In some cultures clearly evident, in 21st century USA, not so clearly evident and even covert and contradictory.
Para. 2: Examples. In the US, a malevolent and subversive spirit working against Democratic ideals.
Para. 3: Historical roots of spirit, Pagan and hedonistic. Emphasis on wealth and display, and withdrawal and disengagement.
Para. 4: Democracies subverted by exaggerated and indulgent individual self-interest, fed by a few seeking profit and power.
Para. 5: Influence from - by - private persons, individuals, groups, corporate interests. Often with a public voice, but with covert resources and agendas, often anti-democratic.
Para. 6: Methods: hyper-sexualization and tribalism substituted for political engagement. Democracy rendered irrelevant.
Para. 7: Pop-culture a tool for subversion. Its appeal vitiating both the common sense and political power of the common man. Purveyors of pop-culture becoming more government-like, and their representatives politically empowered.
Para. 8: Corporate interests working against the common good.
Para. 9: Taxes increasingly for maintenance rather than for improvement and development.
Para. 10: Focus of civic energy on short-term irrelevancies of individual well-being. Broad-scale apathy and surrender of influence. — tim wood
But aside from that I don't think I agree with an age having a 'deliberate' character in the sense that there is some cabal consciously and consistently channeling culture in certain ways to benefit from it... I think these things happen far more opportunistically and by accident than as the result of conscious deliberation. — ChatteringMonkey
While certain ages had more prevalent and identifiable characters, ours is one that hides its nature, and maintains its values in a sub-active manner, that is meant to say without a title, or a movement, or party representation. — EdwardC
At this point, the civic body has undergone malaise, behaving in a way that transfers a state of imposed pacifism onto the general public even if they are invested in political affairs in that its offices are used for only menial tasks. — EdwardC
Many of the regulations in the corporate world, subject as they are to whim, which seem to be directed at some fictitious monster, only end up detracting quality men from beneficial financial situations, at best leaving them dependent on insufficient social programs, which brings me to my next point regarding pacifism and spiritual withdrawal. — EdwardC
Demonstrate it. Or at least describe its manifestation and give examples.During any age, there is always an ethos, an ethic by which that age develops its political character and social personality. — EdwardC
There is and it is recognized by some of the descendants of those who have defeated one or another form of it in the past. Tyranny has never been eradicated.For if there was tyranny would it not be recognized by those who have eradicated it in the past? — EdwardC
There is and it is.If there was propaganda would it’s application not be investigated by the free in thought? — EdwardC
What pacifism - in a country that has never been without some kind of war for more than 11 years in its short history? Who is currently pacific in the armed-to-teeth USA?At this point, the civic body has undergone malaise, behaving in a way that transfers a state of imposed pacifism onto the general public even if they are invested in political affairs in that its offices are used for only menial tasks. — EdwardC
Of course there are movements here or there, but are they enough to make an impact? As you say there isn’t any unity. — EdwardC
In the era of the internet and social media? I think never before have you had such direct knowledge of what people think as this forum is quite the exception as we are anonymous. Yet we aren't so for the all seeing algorithms that can easily handle the vast amount of data that they mine on.While certain ages had more prevalent and identifiable characters, ours is one that hides its nature, and maintains its values in a sub-active manner, that is meant to say without a title, or a movement, or party representation.
In fact, the greatest and most powerful attribute of this age’s ethic is its invisibility. — EdwardC
What is happening is that many people are disillusioned on how entrenched the elites are of the democracies are and how it seems to go on without not taking them into consideration, but serving the richest people. Just look at how the US is run by a two-party system where the power is held by age, which shows how complacent the whole system is. Mr Biden is a perfect example, something similar to the Soviet Politbyro where the oldest take the helm if they just live long enough. Hence you have populism and populist who see democracy itself as the obstacle. Which is unfortunate, but that's what we have.Now to the state of democratic nations. Known for their open structures, opportunities in industry, and unrestrained promulgation of the potential of the individual, they’re values are currently under assault and the populace mostly careless or without recourse. — EdwardC
When the status quo means that the ultra-rich few dominate, it's not so difficult to see why populism is so widely popular. Once in power, the leftist liberals and the social democrats in these countries are perfectly happy to mingle with the super rich and attend meeting like Davos and Bilderberg meetings. That hardly gives an impression that these leftists would be against the system to basically for the billionaires.But my point is that the zeitgeist is very much one of dissatisfaction with the status quo. Perhaps ultimately the collapse of the liberal consensus, as Zizek puts it. — Tom Storm
When the status quo means that the ultra-rich few dominate, it's not so difficult to see why populism is so widely popular. — ssu
Once in power, the leftist liberals and the social democrats in these countries are perfectly happy to mingle with the super rich and attend meeting like Davos and Bilderberg meetings. That hardly gives an impression that these leftists would be against the system to basically for the billionaires. — ssu
Once the basic freedom of voting rights and equality under law have been accomplished, there's not that clear desire for more freedom than aspiring for more stature or wealth. For example feminism in the age of the suffragettes was totally different than today.But without proper interference in matters of the economy, it will be as though the means of the populace remain vacant, no less because individuals aspire toward great stature more than the freedom to manifest ideas amongst themselves and society as a whole. — EdwardC
Trump is the perfect example: a rich playboy that desperately wanted be inside and part of the in-crowd, but who was ostracized because of his many failures as businessman. But who of his supporters will listen to that? You just have the Trump derangement syndrome and believing in the God-Emperor shows how strong you are for "the cause". Even if there isn't a cause, who cares.Although it is harder to see how Trump, say, a member of the ultra rich and an obedient servant of corporate interests (lower taxes, deregulation, oligarchs, etc) will help any of the little guys who so love him. — Tom Storm
Leftists in the West seem to be neoliberals, with the odd whiff of progressive social policy. As Cornel West said of Obama - he was the Citibank President 'a black mascot of Wall Street.' — Tom Storm
Maybe you just disagree. — EdwardC
The US government is obviously reachable https://www.usa.gov/agency-index; if not altogether functional. But here, a distinction should be made between the stalemated Congress and the various capable and effective agencies that carry out the nation's daily business. They're not in the ethic business; their job is to distribute welfare cheques, test food and bridges for safety, curtail flooding, supervise the entry ports and hundreds of other essential services, which they mostly do quite well, in spite of politically appointed department heads.This entry is intended to highlight a cultural ethic which is communicated through industry and academics, describing also how the government’s functionality during this time period, disengaged and unreachable, allows for said ethic to effect the people, leaving them without significant recourse. — EdwardC
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