Inverted Totalitarianism

[kalm]

Every one knows the extreme end of socialism can lead to totalitarianism. Here's an excerpt from a very intirguing article on how the extreme side of capitalism might just do the same:


Much of the outrage expressed about the court’s ruling is the outrage of those who prefer this choreographed charade. As long as the charade is played, they do not have to consider how to combat what the political philosopher Sheldon Wolin calls our system of “inverted totalitarianism.”

Inverted totalitarianism represents “the political coming of age of corporate power and the political demobilization of the citizenry,” Wolin writes in “Democracy Incorporated.” Inverted totalitarianism differs from classical forms of totalitarianism, which revolve around a demagogue or charismatic leader, and finds its expression in the anonymity of the corporate state. The corporate forces behind inverted totalitarianism do not, as classical totalitarian movements do, boast of replacing decaying structures with a new, revolutionary structure. They purport to honor electoral politics, freedom and the Constitution. But they so corrupt and manipulate the levers of power as to make democracy impossible.

Inverted totalitarianism is not conceptualized as an ideology or objectified in public policy. It is furthered by “power-holders and citizens who often seem unaware of the deeper consequences of their actions or inactions,” Wolin writes. But it is as dangerous as classical forms of totalitarianism. In a system of inverted totalitarianism, as this court ruling illustrates, it is not necessary to rewrite the Constitution, as fascist and communist regimes do. It is enough to exploit legitimate power by means of judicial and legislative interpretation. This exploitation ensures that huge corporate campaign contributions are protected speech under the First Amendment. It ensures that heavily financed and organized lobbying by large corporations is interpreted as an application of the people’s right to petition the government. The court again ratified the concept that corporations are persons, except in those cases where the “persons” agree to a “settlement.” Those within corporations who commit crimes can avoid going to prison by paying large sums of money to the government while, according to this twisted judicial reasoning, not “admitting any wrongdoing.” There is a word for this. It is called corruption.

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/dem ... _20100124/

[Grizalltheway]

You're nothing but a Marxist wannabe, kalm. Native told me so.

[kalm]

You're nothing but a Marxist wannabe, kalm. Native told me so.

Take it easy on my friend Native. He can't help his marxo/socio/communophobia. He's sees 'em around every corner and behind every tree.

I'm just hoping I can get him to call me a false prophet again. That would be sweet.

[CID1990]

I would tend to agree that socialism leading to totalitarianism is historical fact, while 'inverted totalitarianism' is a theory.

[kalm]

I would tend to agree that socialism leading to totalitarianism is historical fact, while 'inverted totalitarianism' is a theory.

Perhaps. But the two best examples that come to mind of the type of capitalism espoused by many on the right and the direction we have been heading the last 30 years - the libertarian paradise absent of government intervention - would be the U.S. during the Gilded Age and present day Somalia. Hardly shining examples of democracy and a successful state.

[Ivytalk]

I would tend to agree that socialism leading to totalitarianism is historical fact, while 'inverted totalitarianism' is a theory.

Perhaps. But the two best examples that come to mind of the type of capitalism espoused by many on the right and the direction we have been heading the last 30 years - the libertarian paradise absent of government intervention - would be the U.S. during the Gilded Age and present day Somalia. Hardly shining examples of democracy and a successful state.

kalm, whenever you say something halfway intelligent, you undercut it by a stupid example. What do the US and Somalia have in common? Pirates? Back to the drawing board, comrade.

[native]

Perhaps. But the two best examples that come to mind of the type of capitalism espoused by many on the right and the direction we have been heading the last 30 years - the libertarian paradise absent of government intervention - would be the U.S. during the Gilded Age and present day Somalia. Hardly shining examples of democracy and a successful state.

kalm, whenever you say something halfway intelligent, you undercut it by a stupid example. What do the US and Somalia have in common? Pirates? Back to the drawing board, comrade.

Kalm must struggle on those pattern matching questions on IQ tests.

[houndawg]

You're nothing but a Marxist wannabe, kalm. Native told me so.

Take it easy on my friend Native. He can't help his marxo/socio/communophobia. He's sees 'em around every corner and behind every tree.

I'm just hoping I can get him to call me a false prophet again. That would be sweet.

I think it's the oxycontin. Rush takes it and he has the same type of hallucinations.

[native]

Take it easy on my friend Native. He can't help his marxo/socio/communophobia. He's sees 'em around every corner and behind every tree.

I'm just hoping I can get him to call me a false prophet again. That would be sweet.

I think it's the oxycontin. Rush takes it and he has the same type of hallucinations.

Sorry to disappoint you, dawg, but unlike the countless libertines on this site, I only take aspirin. ...Once in a while.

One time when my leg was crushed I took a special Tylenol with codeine, though. It made a real difference.

And yes, kalm, you are a false prophet. Again. So is jonboy. FDR harmed the republic and prolonged the depression, and "progressivism" is a long march to the gulag, not to utopia.

[kalm]

And yes, kalm, you are a false prophet. Again. So is jonboy. FDR harmed the republic and prolonged the depression, and "progressivism" is a long march to the gulag, not to utopia.

Yes!

Jon and I are the devil incarnate.

Viva regression!

Progressivism is the antithesis of totalitarianism.

[Wedgebuster]

Hmmm, we have become extremely, a nation divided by extremism. I understand why it is that way, and in the very beginning sides had to take extreme positions knowing that during the processes of negotiation, compromises would have be made to achieve the end result, an agreement, or a contract.

Too bad nobody compromises anymore, and that is why our Government no longer can function to the benefit of the citizenry.

Corporations are supposed to be considered "persons" in the non-literal sense only. This was intended to provide them some measure of anonymity and protection for it's stockholders, and for tax purposes as well. Apparently, a slight majority of the SCOTUS sees it in the literal sense. The implications of this decision may well be infinitely and exponentially more damaging to our society than anyone has yet imagined.

I feel that a colossal backlash, or even a revolution from the public because of this ruling is not only justified, but essential. In the end, this may well be a good thing.

[CID1990]

Well, I like pie and that's all that matters.

[native]

And yes, kalm, you are a false prophet. Again. So is jonboy. FDR harmed the republic and prolonged the depression, and "progressivism" is a long march to the gulag, not to utopia.

Yes!

Jon and I are the devil incarnate.

Viva regression!

Progressivism is the antithesis of totalitarianism.

Nope. "Progressivism" is merely boiling the frog slowly. At first the pot feels all warm and comfortable. By the time the frog realizes that he's dying, it's too late to jump out of the pot.

[native]

Hmmm, we have become extremely, a nation divided by extremism. I understand why it is that way, and in the very beginning sides had to take extreme positions knowing that during the processes of negotiation, compromises would have be made to achieve the end result, an agreement, or a contract.

Too bad nobody compromises anymore, and that is why our Government no longer can function to the benefit of the citizenry.

Corporations are supposed to be considered "persons" in the non-literal sense only. This was intended to provide them some measure of anonymity and protection for it's stockholders, and for tax purposes as well. Apparently, a slight majority of the SCOTUS sees it in the literal sense. The implications of this decision may well be infinitely and exponentially more damaging to our society than anyone has yet imagined.

I feel that a colossal backlash, or even a revolution from the public because of this ruling is not only justified, but essential. In the end, this may well be a good thing.

Backlash against socialism first, corporatism second.

[kalm]

Perhaps. But the two best examples that come to mind of the type of capitalism espoused by many on the right and the direction we have been heading the last 30 years - the libertarian paradise absent of government intervention - would be the U.S. during the Gilded Age and present day Somalia. Hardly shining examples of democracy and a successful state.

kalm, whenever you say something halfway intelligent, you undercut it by a stupid example. What do the US and Somalia have in common? Pirates? Back to the drawing board, comrade.

Reminds me of an episode of Franken's radio show where he was interviewing the commander of UN forces in Rwanda prior to and during the the genocide.

The guy was doing everything he could to warn the U.S. of the impending crisis but, as he accused, americans at the time were more interested in the Nancy Karrigan assault to which Al replied 'yeah, but after all she was america's sweetheart'.

Incredulous the UN commander responded something to the effect of 'but people we're already being slaughtered how can you even compare the two?' To which Al once again replied 'but she was america's sweetheart.'

[native]

kalm, whenever you say something halfway intelligent, you undercut it by a stupid example. What do the US and Somalia have in common? Pirates? Back to the drawing board, comrade.

Reminds me of an episode of Franken's radio show where he was interviewing the commander of UN forces in Rwanda prior to and during the the genocide.

The guy was doing everything he could to warn the U.S. of the impending crisis but, as he accused, americans at the time were more interested in the Nancy Karrigan assault to which Al replied 'yeah, but after all she was america's sweetheart'.

Incredulous the UN commander responded something to the effect of 'but people we're already being slaughtered how can you even compare the two?' To which Al once again replied 'but she was america's sweetheart.'

Yet another challenge with pattern matching.

[Wedgebuster]

Hmmm, we have become extremely, a nation divided by extremism. I understand why it is that way, and in the very beginning sides had to take extreme positions knowing that during the processes of negotiation, compromises would have be made to achieve the end result, an agreement, or a contract.

Too bad nobody compromises anymore, and that is why our Government no longer can function to the benefit of the citizenry.

Corporations are supposed to be considered "persons" in the non-literal sense only. This was intended to provide them some measure of anonymity and protection for it's stockholders, and for tax purposes as well. Apparently, a slight majority of the SCOTUS sees it in the literal sense. The implications of this decision may well be infinitely and exponentially more damaging to our society than anyone has yet imagined.

I feel that a colossal backlash, or even a revolution from the public because of this ruling is not only justified, but essential. In the end, this may well be a good thing.

Backlash against socialism first, corporatism second.

Oh yes, I can see the vast attributes of anti-socialism.

[native]

Backlash against socialism first, corporatism second.

Oh yes, I can see the vast attributes of anti-socialism.

Wedges, I have never accused you of grasping the "vast attributes of anti-socialism."

Your numerous posts in celebration of socialist solutions reveal you to be a socialist, despite your faux protestations to the contrary.

The only thing I have not figured out is if you are only a fellow traveler, as your autobiographical comments suggest, or a true believer.

[kalm]

Reminds me of an episode of Franken's radio show where he was interviewing the commander of UN forces in Rwanda prior to and during the the genocide.

The guy was doing everything he could to warn the U.S. of the impending crisis but, as he accused, americans at the time were more interested in the Nancy Karrigan assault to which Al replied 'yeah, but after all she was america's sweetheart'.

Incredulous the UN commander responded something to the effect of 'but people we're already being slaughtered how can you even compare the two?' To which Al once again replied 'but she was america's sweetheart.'

Yet another challenge with pattern matching.

Look, it's not my fault that you humorless conks fail to recognize satire.

And the march of the pattern matching challenged false prophets goes on.

[native]

Yet another challenge with pattern matching.

Look, it's not my fault that you humorless conks fail to recognize satire.

And the march of the pattern matching challenged false prophets goes on.

Guilty as charged, kalm ... sometimes.

I am not always intentionally humorless. Maher and Stewart piss me off and make me laugh at the same time.

But Franken does not make me laugh. He just pisses me off.

[kalm]

Look, it's not my fault that you humorless conks fail to recognize satire.

And the march of the pattern matching challenged false prophets goes on.

Guilty as charged, kalm ... sometimes.

I am not always intentionally humorless. Maher and Stewart piss me off an make me laugh at the same time.

Then there still is hope for you my friend.

[native]

Guilty as charged, kalm ... sometimes.

I am not always intentionally humorless. Maher and Stewart piss me off an make me laugh at the same time.

Then there still is hope for you my friend.

[native]

By the way, congrats for initiating an excellent thread!

[free7694]

Progressivism is the antithesis of totalitarianism.

Tell that to Castro, Hitler, Stalin and Mao. All totalitarians, all progressives.

[Grizalltheway]

Progressivism is the antithesis of totalitarianism.

Tell that to Castro, Hitler, Stalin and Mao. All totalitarians, all progressives.

Wow. What part of the current progressive agenda (in this country) advocates the extermination of entire groups of people? Interested to hear this one.