That is because the elites are searching for some narrative that will get people to get behind what they want to do (foreign policy-wise).
Most Americans, for some reason, find actually serving American interests in foreign policy something of a non-starter. We are supposed to be this exceptional country that does things for ethical reas…
That is because the elites are searching for some narrative that will get people to get behind what they want to do (foreign policy-wise).
Most Americans, for some reason, find actually serving American interests in foreign policy something of a non-starter. We are supposed to be this exceptional country that does things for ethical reasons to improve the world (despite the huge mass of evidence to the contrary).
The Cold War was awesome for these people because it excused a lot of really bad behavior that was supposedly done for good reasons. They tried to do the same sort of thing with the clash of civilizations and Islamic terrorism but, in the end, people didn't really buy it. You are trying to tell me that these guys hiding in caves are an existential threat? That's a hard sell even to the terminally stupid.
Been trying to do the same thing with the Chinese (for better reasons) and now, again, the Russians.
Ya, these people are our enemies--isn't THAT enough to actually oppose them?
Ya got to love the term "elites" it is such a marvelous "strawman". The beauty of it is we each get to draw our favorite face on the strawman and whack away in unison with others,
It refers to a couple of different groups of people:
1) Professional policy makers, especially in foreign policy;
2) Long term professional politicians, especially those from political families (the Bush family, for example or the Cheneys);
3) Holders of extreme amounts of capital (from the hundreds of millions upwards)
4) Certain media personalities--like Hannity.
These are basically the people who either make the decisions or have a very strong influence in the making of decisions--they represent a strata of society that possesses the wealth, power, or connections to materially and substantively shape policy. They went to the same schools. Belong to the same organizations. Live in the same types of places. They are the reason why things tend to be the way they are.
The group varies with who is in power (and who has their ear), but the holders of extreme capital are almost always numbered in the group.
As a rule they are very self-serving (which accounts for them being in the position they are in, ITFP) and they work to shape policy to their benefit and the benefit of their fellows--which is why most programs that are supposed to help people don't actually help people all that much (and why programs of that type always seem to be underfunded and have a lot of small rules and limitations).
That is because the elites are searching for some narrative that will get people to get behind what they want to do (foreign policy-wise).
Most Americans, for some reason, find actually serving American interests in foreign policy something of a non-starter. We are supposed to be this exceptional country that does things for ethical reasons to improve the world (despite the huge mass of evidence to the contrary).
The Cold War was awesome for these people because it excused a lot of really bad behavior that was supposedly done for good reasons. They tried to do the same sort of thing with the clash of civilizations and Islamic terrorism but, in the end, people didn't really buy it. You are trying to tell me that these guys hiding in caves are an existential threat? That's a hard sell even to the terminally stupid.
Been trying to do the same thing with the Chinese (for better reasons) and now, again, the Russians.
Ya, these people are our enemies--isn't THAT enough to actually oppose them?
Ya got to love the term "elites" it is such a marvelous "strawman". The beauty of it is we each get to draw our favorite face on the strawman and whack away in unison with others,
It is a lazy shorthand--here is what it means...
It refers to a couple of different groups of people:
1) Professional policy makers, especially in foreign policy;
2) Long term professional politicians, especially those from political families (the Bush family, for example or the Cheneys);
3) Holders of extreme amounts of capital (from the hundreds of millions upwards)
4) Certain media personalities--like Hannity.
These are basically the people who either make the decisions or have a very strong influence in the making of decisions--they represent a strata of society that possesses the wealth, power, or connections to materially and substantively shape policy. They went to the same schools. Belong to the same organizations. Live in the same types of places. They are the reason why things tend to be the way they are.
The group varies with who is in power (and who has their ear), but the holders of extreme capital are almost always numbered in the group.
As a rule they are very self-serving (which accounts for them being in the position they are in, ITFP) and they work to shape policy to their benefit and the benefit of their fellows--which is why most programs that are supposed to help people don't actually help people all that much (and why programs of that type always seem to be underfunded and have a lot of small rules and limitations).